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111th out of 224 books
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218 voters
Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (Olympians #3)
The story of Hera, Queen of the Gods, and the heroes who won her favor.
Volume 3 of Olympians, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory, introduces readers to the Queen of the Gods and Goddesses in the Pantheon. This volume tells the tales of the many heroes who sought and won Hera’s patronage, most notably Hercules.
In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct...more
Volume 3 of Olympians, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory, introduces readers to the Queen of the Gods and Goddesses in the Pantheon. This volume tells the tales of the many heroes who sought and won Hera’s patronage, most notably Hercules.
In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct...more
Paperback, 80 pages
Published
July 19th 2011
by First Second
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This book may be titled "Hera", but the good majority of it is actually about Hercules. At the very beginning you get two more Hera-centric episodes. First comes Zeus' courtship of Hera and their wedding, and second is the story of Io being turned into a cow (we never see what becomes of Io past her transformation). I found it interesting that in the story of their wedding, it seems very emphasized that Metis has only been Zeus' queen and not his wife, unlike Hera. It felt like a strange justifi...more
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
This much awaited 3rd volume in The Olympians series was quickly read up. I'm quite familiar with the contents of this one and enjoyed the author's presentation of events. There are many stories and versions the author had his pick of which way he could go with these characters and he's chosen an age appropriate story and one which connects Hera and Heracles together perfectly. While the book does tell the story of Hera, there does come a point went it beco...more
This much awaited 3rd volume in The Olympians series was quickly read up. I'm quite familiar with the contents of this one and enjoyed the author's presentation of events. There are many stories and versions the author had his pick of which way he could go with these characters and he's chosen an age appropriate story and one which connects Hera and Heracles together perfectly. While the book does tell the story of Hera, there does come a point went it beco...more
(Originally posted @ CSI:Librarian.)
Wow. I am just blown away by this graphic novel! It is definitely one of my favorite books of 2011.
Everything was perfection from the writing, the art, the flow of events, and the insight into Hera, Zeus, and Hercules. It would be impossible not to notice how much George O'Connor cares about these myths and these gods, especially Hera. The love all but oozes off of every page, and his storytelling is just as skillful as it was in the first two books of his Oly...more
Wow. I am just blown away by this graphic novel! It is definitely one of my favorite books of 2011.
Everything was perfection from the writing, the art, the flow of events, and the insight into Hera, Zeus, and Hercules. It would be impossible not to notice how much George O'Connor cares about these myths and these gods, especially Hera. The love all but oozes off of every page, and his storytelling is just as skillful as it was in the first two books of his Oly...more
If you loved Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series and can't get enough of Greek mythology, check out Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory. This is the third book in a series of graphic novels about Greek Mythology. While the beginning of the graphic novel suggests that this will tell the story of Hera, the one creature that Zeus fears, this book is mostly the story of Heracles, the only Greek hero to become immortal. Heracles means Glory of Hera, and it is through her persecution o...more
This volume tells the story of Hera's marriage to Zues, the story of Hera and Heracles and a brief explanation of how Hera embodies the the stages of women hood, which I found really interesting b/c it kind of allows you to trace Hera down through other religions.
Hera was always one of my least favorite goddesses mainly b/c I have always heard the negative take on her tale. The one where she is basically a terror to Heracles. I really like this version of events b/c to me it makes more sense fo...more
Hera was always one of my least favorite goddesses mainly b/c I have always heard the negative take on her tale. The one where she is basically a terror to Heracles. I really like this version of events b/c to me it makes more sense fo...more
This is more of a review for the series thus far than for this title in particular... I started reading these books with high hopes & much enthusiasm over the genius idea of retelling the Greek myths in graphic novel format, but am less than impressed with the actual execution. While the art is dynamic, engaging, and on occasion even breathtaking, the writing falls short; there's no higher meaning to any of these retellings of Zeus, Athena, or Hera - it just feels like a collection of their...more
The third installment of George O'Connor's Olympians series features the Queen of the Gods, and gives us a pretty good idea of why she's so vindictive and vengeful in the myths. Of the three I'd read to this point, this one was my favorite: I liked that the author showed Hera's journey from maiden goddess to Zeus' wife, and allowed us to get inside her head a bit. With all that Zeus put her through, she's amazing for sticking with him! I also liked that we basically got the story of Heracles as...more
I really enjoyed this version of Hera's story as it showed her not like she is traditionally portrayed, as the jealous and vengeful woman, but as a loving wife who knows what she wants and goes and gets it. I liked how the author described her as "the one person that Zeus well and truly fears (pg 68)." I didn't know until I read the previous volume on Athena that Hera was Zeus's second wife, but I find it interesting that knowing Zeus's wondering eye, she demanded he properly marry her and make...more
In this Olympian volume we see how Hera arose from maiden to matron goddess. It also later depicts how she handles Zeus's lovers and their children. I actually like that she was played more crafty, rather than just as the spiteful goddess she's often portrayed as. The Heracles and Jason portion shows she may not be really wrathful, but more of a tester for them to accomplish their heroic goals. I do wonder where the mythology (since there are several interpretations) ends and the artist's person...more
Aw, phooey. Phooey and also consarn it. George O'Connor is making me break my usual rules about reviewing. Generally speaking, when I review the first book in a series I see no need to go about reviewing the rest of the books. I mean, once you've covered the first, you can kick back and assume the rest, right? Plus with all the great new books coming out every single day there's hardly any reason to go about wasting time on a sequel. That's where O'Connor throws me for a loop. I reviewed the fir...more
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In graphic novel format, this book tells the story of Hera. Pre-Zeus Hera is introduced and their courtship and marriage are explored. A main topic is of course, Zeus’ wandering eye and his children from other women. Special emphasis is put on Hera’s relationship to Hercules. The story is well told in a way that is easy to understand. The drawings are wonderfully done and really help to push the story along.
While I am normally not very interested in graphic novels, I found this one quite enjoyab...more
While I am normally not very interested in graphic novels, I found this one quite enjoyab...more
This is the third book of George O'Connor's series Olympians. In this book, the story's about Hera, Queen of the Gods, Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth, and Faithfulness. Since I had read the first two books in this series, I decided to give this one a shot.
Hera is a very, VERY jealous wife. Her husband, Zeus, is always being unfaithful to their marriage by marrying countless mortal girls and having children with them. In anger, Hera torments Zeus'countless mortal (and sometimes divine) wives. Bu...more
Hera is a very, VERY jealous wife. Her husband, Zeus, is always being unfaithful to their marriage by marrying countless mortal girls and having children with them. In anger, Hera torments Zeus'countless mortal (and sometimes divine) wives. Bu...more
I got really excited about this book when I read Elizabeth Bird's glowing review. After reading it, I'm reserving high praise because although this book is a respectful and enlightening look at Hera, it's not quite what I thought it would be.
Hera is often portrayed as a real witch because she is frequently persecuting her husband's lovers and illegitimate children. There's some of that happening in this book, but Zeus totally earns her wrath through his immature and irritating behavior. We also...more
Hera is often portrayed as a real witch because she is frequently persecuting her husband's lovers and illegitimate children. There's some of that happening in this book, but Zeus totally earns her wrath through his immature and irritating behavior. We also...more
This book was OK i really didn't like it. The book is about a god named Hera and this other god wants her and she said no once or twice but then she said yes. But one day there were gods that wanted to save this child named Hercules and they went to Hera she said yes and said she but there is going to be 10 things he has to do when he goes up and they said yes. one was fight a lion that had skin that nothing could go through it. two was a snake that if you decapitated it. Then the heads doubled....more
book 126 of 1000
George O'Connor is back with another installment of his Olympians series, this one dealing with Hera, the wife of Zeus. What I find interesting about O'Connor's approach to these stories is that while the book is titled with the name of a god, it's ultimately about someone close to that god. In this case, the story focuses on Heracles, the mighty half-god, half-human who performed 12 great tasks. As always, O'Connor has done his homework, and it's obvious that he enjoys the subj...more
George O'Connor is back with another installment of his Olympians series, this one dealing with Hera, the wife of Zeus. What I find interesting about O'Connor's approach to these stories is that while the book is titled with the name of a god, it's ultimately about someone close to that god. In this case, the story focuses on Heracles, the mighty half-god, half-human who performed 12 great tasks. As always, O'Connor has done his homework, and it's obvious that he enjoys the subj...more
I enjoyed this quite a bit. The dialogue is modern and easy for kids to understand. The art is consistent and clear. I really enjoy O'Connor's line work. The only reason that this isn't a 4 or 5 star rating is because the majority of the story is dedicated to Heracles/Hercules. As much as Hera may have had to with his life, it seems strange to spend so much of the pages on a character that is only meagerly mentioned on the cover. I do wish this had been titled 'Hera and Heracles', or had simply...more
This volume in the series is not as strong because it takes on too much. Hera is the central figure, but all of Heracles' labors are explained (too briefly to do them justice) as well as the background of Jason of golden fleece fame. The intricacy of the Greek myths will make it difficult for those who are not well-versed in the "who's who" to follow each story. The notes at the end help, as does a description of some of the monsters Heracles faces. Those who are already immersed in mythology, h...more
As posted on Outside of a Dog:
Hera, the Goddess and Her Glory – Man has this graphic novel series from George O’Connor got legs. The first two volumes, Zeus and Athena were fabulous adaptations of the Greek myths, and this installment is no different. It is part the story of Hera, goddess of the air, the sky, marriage and childbirth, and that of Heracles (Hercules to you Roman fans), whose name literally means “The Glory of Hera”. O’Connor opens his story by calling Hera the only thing great Zeu...more
Hera, the Goddess and Her Glory – Man has this graphic novel series from George O’Connor got legs. The first two volumes, Zeus and Athena were fabulous adaptations of the Greek myths, and this installment is no different. It is part the story of Hera, goddess of the air, the sky, marriage and childbirth, and that of Heracles (Hercules to you Roman fans), whose name literally means “The Glory of Hera”. O’Connor opens his story by calling Hera the only thing great Zeu...more
brief notes:
Continuing his series on the Olympians, O'Connor now takes us on the journey of Hera and how she became Queen of the Olympians. I've got to be honest and say that Hera has never been my favorite of the Olympians, she's always been depicted as cruel and hateful by every writer that I've encountered, so I was eager to see how O'Connor would portray her...but I was left a bit disappointed. O'Connor focuses the majority of the book on the story of Heracles with Hera only making brief app...more
Continuing his series on the Olympians, O'Connor now takes us on the journey of Hera and how she became Queen of the Olympians. I've got to be honest and say that Hera has never been my favorite of the Olympians, she's always been depicted as cruel and hateful by every writer that I've encountered, so I was eager to see how O'Connor would portray her...but I was left a bit disappointed. O'Connor focuses the majority of the book on the story of Heracles with Hera only making brief app...more
You wouldn't think that there would be a fresh way to tell the Greek myths, but you'd be wrong. O'Connor is brilliant. He's managed to drag stale old stories into the 21st century, and he's managed to make them better. Here Hera isn't just a stereotype of a jealous wife, she's a clever, clever woman, with plans of her own and a much longer view than the others gods, who are an impulsive, impetuous lot.
Most of the story here is about Heracles and his ten twelve great tasks. And let me just point...more
Most of the story here is about Heracles and his ten twelve great tasks. And let me just point...more
I absolutely loved Zeus:King of the Gods so I knew I had to read this next installment in the Olympian series. I love Greek Mythology and I couldn't wait to read this book about Hera! You can tell the author,George O'Conner, has a love of Greek mythology too. He writes these stories with heart, humor and great emotion. The book is full of monsters, explosions, romance and lots of drama. It tells how many of the Greek heroes fought for Hera's heart, especially Hercules. I never cared for Hera muc...more
Yet again i find myself reading another Olympian graphic novel. ha What a surprise!! ha yet again i love these book and the stories they tell. I have finally mastered reading these books to i do not get mixed up anymore. But i really don't get it i thought this book was about Hera.. It talked more about Hercules? It talked a lot about the 10 quests OK 13 that he had to go on.i Just didn't get it because i thought it was about Hera. ha oh well i still liked it and i would recommend this book to a...more
George O'Connor does it again! His Olympians series just keeps getting better and better. Those who have been reading them in order since Zeus: King of the Gods will notice that while his style and color palette remains consistent the stories themselves are getting ever more complex. Mythology can sometimes be thought of as dry, but these books help make it fun and accessible! Great for Percy Jackson fans who are looking for something new while they are waiting for the next installment.
There's a lot to like here. O'Connor tells some of the myths featuring Hera and also Heracles (Hercules) in graphic format. The rich colorful illustrations will appeal to many, as will the straightforward approach to storytelling. My only complaint is how Hera always seems to have an evil smirk on her face, which I suppose matches her personality, but made me want to look at anything else in the picture. Solid B rating from me.
In the author's note, O'Connor confesses that Hera is his favorite goddess. Me too! He calls this fine graphic novel his Hera Reclamation Project, and indeed he does present her the much-put-upon wife of a philanderer but NOT a shrew. The retelling of the 12 labors of Hercules (the Glory of Hera) is nicely done. The illustrations add to the well-rounded characterizations of Zeus, Hera, and Heracles. Loved this one.
This actually made me like Hera which is not an easy thing to do. I really liked the info at the end which told what research George did to give us these different views on her which are still based on old sources but aren't the ones we're used to. For instance she doesn't possess Hercules to kill his whole family rather breast feeds him to save him and then challenges Zeus to prove his worth.
Hera not only claims her place as queen beside Zeus, she is the only one who has any chance of keeping him in line. Her story is interwoven with that of Heracles, or "the glory of Hera." Why would a goddess intent on punishing a human charge him with challenges that would lead to his immortality? Heracles and Hera may not have liked each other, but their stories are forever linked.
All the books that I've read so far in this series have been wonderful. They are written for young readers, but the depth of my knowledge of Greek mythology has been expanded in reading them with my daughter. I love this one in particular because it's the first thing I've read that is sympathetic to Hera and doesn't just portray her as a nagging,jealous shrew.
I really enjoy this series. Hera was a great installment, however, sadly it wasn't really too much about Hera. The story focused on Heracles' 10 tasks that he had to complete in order to live on Mount Olympus. I guess it is about Hera in a roundabout way, but I wish there was more to tell about her. I believe at the end George O'Connor says that the reason there isn't much to tell is that back in the day, they only recorded stories about men. Still a great story and anyone who likes mythology wi...more
It's rather sad that there is so little to say about Hera that her stories must be about Heracles. Or jealous rage. What does that say about patriarchal religions?
Still, this graphic novel - and the whole series, really - does a great job of injecting respect for women with a little twist here and there.
Still, this graphic novel - and the whole series, really - does a great job of injecting respect for women with a little twist here and there.
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George O'Connor is the author of several picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Kapow!, Kersplash, and Sally and the Some-thing. JOURNEY INTO MOHAWK COUNTRY was his first graphic novel, a long-held dream that weaves together his passion for history and ongoing research into Native American life. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
More about George O'Connor...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
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