For kids fascinated by powerful myths and complex characters, this graphic novel vividly brings Apollo's stories of art, prophecy, and rivalry to life.
A parent might reach for this book when their child, who excels in an area like art, music, or sports, begins to struggle with pride or jealousy. This graphic novel explores the myths of Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, and archery. It covers his dramatic birth, his heroic slaying of the Python, and his darker moments fueled by arrogance, such as his cruel competition with the satyr Marsyas. The book is a dynamic entry into mythology for older elementary and middle school readers, offering a perfect way to start conversations about the responsibility that comes with talent, the nature of fairness, and the importance of humility. It brilliantly showcases that even heroes have serious flaws.
The protagonist is a hero who also acts with extreme cruelty, challenging simple good vs. evil ideas.
Sad ThemesMild
A character is magically transformed to escape unwanted romantic pursuit, which is a sad resolution.
Sensitive Topics
The book contains mythological violence and character death. The approach is direct and in keeping with the classical source material. The slaying of the Python is a clear monster battle. The death of Marsyas (who is flayed alive) is a key plot point. The violence is not gratuitously graphic, often shown through shadows and reactions, but the implication is stark and brutal. The resolution to this story is grim and serves as a cautionary tale about hubris and challenging the gods. It is a secular retelling of ancient myths.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a 10 to 13-year-old reader who loves the Percy Jackson series and is ready for a more authentic, less sanitized version of Greek mythology. It's also for a child who is highly competitive or gifted in a certain area and may be grappling with feelings of pride, jealousy, or poor sportsmanship. It provides a mythical context for the idea that talent doesn't automatically make you a good person.
Parent Prep
A parent should absolutely preview the story of Marsyas (pages 52-71). The concept of being flayed for losing a music contest is very dark. While the art avoids gore, the horror of the act is clear. A parent needs to be prepared to discuss the concepts of divine retribution, excessive punishment, and why a character we see as a hero could do something so monstrous. A parent has a gifted child who recently won a competition (a music recital, a sports match) and was ungracious in victory, mocking their opponent. Or, the child expressed intense jealousy that someone else was getting praise for a skill they feel is 'theirs'. The parent is looking for a story to discuss how to handle talent and competition with grace.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely focus on the superhero elements: Apollo the archer, the battle with the giant snake, the cool powers. They might see the Marsyas story in more black-and-white terms. An older reader (11-14) will be better equipped to grapple with the moral ambiguity. They will analyze Apollo's narcissism, question the fairness of the gods, and understand the tragic dimensions of the myths of Daphne and Marsyas.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many children's mythology collections that soften the rough edges of the Greek gods, George O'Connor's Olympians series stands out for its fidelity to the source material's complexity and brutality. The graphic novel format makes these ancient, epic stories accessible and visually thrilling. O'Connor's extensive research, shared in the book's back matter, adds an educational layer that makes this book a perfect bridge from entertainment to classical studies.
Read plot summary
The seventh book in the Olympians series focuses on the god Apollo. It details his birth on the island of Delos alongside his twin, Artemis. The story follows his journey to claim his place, which involves traveling to Delphi, slaying the monstrous Python to establish his famous oracle, and defining his domain. The book also covers two of his most famous, and infamous, personal myths: his arrogant encounter with Eros that leads to his desperate and unrequited pursuit of the nymph Daphne, and his horrifically cruel punishment of the satyr Marsyas after a musical competition.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In the musical contest, Marsyas played with wild joy, while Apollo played with perfect technique. Why do you think the Muses declared Apollo the winner, and was their judgment fair?
2
Apollo's punishment for Marsyas seems much crueler than the satyr's original challenge. Why do you think Apollo reacted so extremely? Does being a god justify his actions?
3
After he defeats the Python, Apollo's pride gets him into trouble with Eros (Cupid), leading to the sad story of Daphne. Can you think of a time when feeling overly proud or confident led to a mistake?
4
Apollo is the god of both healing medicine and deadly plague, of beautiful music and terrible punishment. Do you think he is more of a creator or a destroyer? Which side of him did you see more in this book?
