Iris the Colorful

Goddess Girls #14

by Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Iris has a rainbow of colorful experiences, from visiting the Underworld to conversing with her crush in this Goddess Girls adventure.

Iris is the most colorful goddess girl at Mount Olympus Academy. In fact, her hair and delicate wings can change color according to her mood! When Principal Zeus entrusts her with the job of fetching some magic water, Iris is tickled pink—until she realizes she’ll have to get the water from the gray, gloomy River Styx in the Underworld! And when Iris figures out how to create magical rainbow slides that will allow her to travel from Mount Olympus to Earth and back in a flash, she suddenly becomes a messenger in high demand. All the while, Iris wonders whether her crush, Zephyrus, has caught wind of her infatuation, or if he’s into her BFF instead. Either way, Iris is determined she won’t go green with envy!

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Greek Mythology, Retellings

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[✧ hayley (the sugar bowl) ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

ok, i enjoyed this book! i’m so glad because the last two in this series were not as great and i think that’s because they were the first two that weren’t a reread and there wasn’t any childhood nostalgia there as with the first 11 books.

i think i was just readjusting to this young, fluffy, middle grade series after reading YA and now i am enjoying these more.

this one was a lot of fun. especially the apollo, antheia, cassandra and the iris, antheia, zephyr love triangle which had me laughing and relating. the plot actually had some high stakes and action and danger and i was glad for that.

anyway, definitely a step back up from the last two books. i can’t wait to keep reading the series!!


୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it shows so much of a difference and a development of different characters.

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't help thinking the authors may have started to lose the plot with this series. It started off as a really nice feel-good and heart-warming tale of friendship and magic. I think the following quote sums up what the series has now become:

Many immortal students went to the Academy - all of the beautiful, handsome, powerful, and awesome, with softly glittering skin.

Seriously? That is just wrong. And kids are supposed to like this? I, for one, don't want to read about characters like that, and I'm the same age as most of the main characters, so I don't think I'm outside the age range. This series was going so well but the narration has been becoming more and more childish as the books go on and I feel as though the authors aren't thinking about what they are saying as much as they should be.

Some other things I found annoying:

Apollo wrote a love letter (or at least something of that sort) to his 'crush' Cassandra and Artemis wanted (and tried) to read it. This wasn't a huge issue with me, but I just wanted to point out that I find this a bit weird. I don't know if either of the authors have any brothers but I personally find the concept of reading a love letter from my brother really gross! What is going on in Artemis's head?!

They keeping saying that none of the MOA students (especially the four main goddessgirls) are stuck-up or spoilt, but let's face it, they sort of are. You only have to look at Iris - she can do amazing magic, goes to the best boarding school in the whole world (within this book world, that is), isn't bullied or uncomfortable with who she is, yet still demands to be named the 'official' goddess of rainbows, even though she practically is already! I understand that life without things to aim for is not worth living, but please! Have a little gratitude for what you already have at least!

There are probably two main storylines in this book, perhaps three. The first is that Iris has a special job from Principal Zeus, which is all well and good, but I'm sure all of us have guessed by now, at the fourteenth book, what the second main storyline is going to be. You've guessed it: a crush. Yes, they're always done well and you do find yourself wanting the two people to get together, but it is getting SO repetitive (cannot put enough emphasis on that 'so'). There is more to life than crushes, you know! Even at Mount Olympus Academy. To be honest, it's getting kind of boring. Why oh why do the authors have this need to pair up every single character in this series? I wouldn't mind if it wasn't one of the main things in all of the books.

I realise I have been quite, okay, a lot negative in this review - when really this book was quite enjoyable. It was mildly original as far as this series goes, but didn't wow me. Let's hope the next one is better!

[Jazmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would make an excellent addition to any young girls' library! I especially like the qualities it tries to imbue upon the reader. Fun, action-packed, and well paced. I'm so lucky to have won a copy of this book from Goodreads!

[Vivian H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the book! The whole series is AWESOME! just love the plot.

[Doni · Rating 1 out of 5]

What kind of crap are the authors teaching here?! That you should trick your partner into telling you the truth because you can't trust them to tell you it through normal communication. That you should entrust messages of the heart to someone else because you don't trust yourself enough to tell those themselves. That you if you're a girl you have to like a boy and if you're a boy you have to like a girl or there's something wrong with you. That it's okay to like someone if they are a bully as long as they like you back. I'm getting pretty sick of this series.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris is trying to become the official goddess of the rainbow, while also dealing with crush problems. Her crush is Zephyrus, which is weird because I don’t think Iris had anything to do with Zephyrus in the original myths. To become the official goddess of the rainbow, Iris goes on a quest to the river Styx. This book actually manages to introduce something new into the mythology world the authors created, and provide a surprisingly intense challenge for our heroine. So, I liked this Goddess Girl book, surprisingly.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read one of the Goddess Girl books, I’m surprised with how well the authors manage to weave so many seemingly unrelated sub-plots into one novel, especially when none of the novels thus far have exceeded 275 pages. And Iris’s story is yet another example of this. Marriage counseling, doomsday, a new crush, and rainbows all come together to form a story that I’m sure juvs will love.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was just a teensy bit annoyed with Iris' friend! Like, ugh!

But, I suppose I need to consider the age group this book was written for...and I guess I can...tolerate it.

Overall, a decent story though!

[QSTCMomma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a take on Cyrano de Bergerac in reverse. The written dialogue is getting worse as the series goes along. Still it allows good dialogue between my daughter and I about what good friendship is and how she should expect to be treated by a boy.

[Amina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and she was being so for real about the crush stealing thing with her best friend i felt bad for her because she pushed away all of her feelings for a friend. But overall I loved the ending and how she ended up with Zephyr and Anthiea with Boreas.

[Greg Garman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever

It was a good book it has some hard words to read and is not for little kids to read

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being me a girl loving Greek mythology I found this book really enjoyable to read. I loved how it took place when the goddesses were in high school. This was a very fun book. I can't wait to read the entire series.

[elenaa 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the Goddess Girl books. They have action, adventure, and just a pinch of romance. All I can say is: Create more Goddess Girl books!

[Ria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the most memorable

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute as always.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a solid goddess girls book! Wanted a quick read after reading a longer book so this was definitely nice and short! Not super captivating at times but still enjoyable and fun to read!

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris is a very colorful girl and more than anything she wants Principal Zeus to name her the official Goddess of Rainbows. She may get that honor if she fulfills a job for Zeus - fetching a pitcher of magic water from Goddess Styx, the protector of River Styx in the Underworld. Meanwhile, Mount Olympus Academy is being threatened by Typhon who has escaped the Underworld. These middle grade books are such an imaginative, creative and adventurous way to integrate Greek mythology.

[Linda Jaejoong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die Göttin der Regenbögen, dass wäre Iris gerne, denn bis jetzt ist sie die Göttin von nichts. Es muss doch für sie einen Weg geben Zeus von ihrem besonderen Talent zu überzeugen. Als plötzlich der böse Typhon aus seinem Gefängnis ausbricht ist eine Chance für Iris gekommen. Sie soll einen ganz bestimmten Wasserkrug für Zeus beschaffen, doch das ich leichter gesagt als getan.

Ich fand Iris ist ein sehr nettes und sympathisches Mädchen. Sie ist die jüngste von 4 Geschwistern. Ihre 3 großen Schwestern betreiben ein Cafe und sind im Gegensatz zu ihr keine Göttinnen sondern Harpyien. Ich finde die 4 so toll zusammen und hätte gern mehr über sie gelesen. Auch lernen wir in diesem Band die 4 Wind Brüder kennen.

Boreas ist für den kalten Wind im Winter zuständig, Zephyr für den warmen Wind im Frühling, Notus für den heißen Wind im Sommer und Eurus für den kühlen Wind im Herbst. Wobei ich schade finde das bis auf Zephyr die anderen Brüder einfach in der Geschichte untergehen. Boreas dürfte ja zwei oder dreimal was sagen, aber Notus und Eurus waren einfach nur anwesend.

Wir lernen auch Iris beste Freundin Antheia kennen, die ich gar nicht mochte. Immer wenn Iris fand das ein Junge nett ist und sich gut als Freund eignen würde hat Antheia beschlossen das sie ihn auch gut findet und verknallt in ihn ist. Da Iris ihre Freundin sehr gern hat, hat sie den betroffenen Jungen dann natürlich nicht gesagt das sie ihn mag.

Iris muss wegen ihrer Freundin immer zurück stecken und das hat mich sehr traurig gemacht. Antheia hat das auch mit Absicht gemacht, da sie der Meinung ist das alle Jungs die Iris nett und süß findet einen tollen Freund abgeben würden. Ich finde Iris hat eine bessere Freundin verdient, aber vielleicht sollte ich das nicht so eng sehen, da Antheia noch sehr jung ist und da ist man noch recht naiv und macht halt mal Fehler.

Fazit: Die Handlung war super spannend und voller Action. Die Wind Brüder haben für mächtig Wirbel gesorgt und waren eine willkommene Abwechslung. Wir haben auch neue mythische Wesen kennen gelernt, wie die Göttinnen Gaia und Styx und das Monster Typhon. Das Buch hat sich super flüssig lesen lassen und das Cover ist einfach Traumhaft!!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this, the 14th Goddess Girls, we get to see another new POV, this time Iris is telling the story. Iris seems pretty awesome! She can create rainbows in all different shapes, can see people's auras (basically their moods) and has wings (more on this later). Also we see more of a character I don't ever remember being mentioned, though I may be wrong, Antheia. I felt like Antheia was only in this story to make Iris look better. I loved the whole thing with Iris putting friends before boys, her backing away every time they had the same crush. At one point Antheia did come off as a bit of an idiot - when they were in the dorms and she told Iris that she had a crush on Zephr.

I'm slightly confused about Iris having wings. She has them on the cover and they're mentioned at the end but I don't really remember them being mentioned early on and when her and Antheia went to the IM she wears the flying sandals.

Anyway, another awesome book in the GG series. I really want to read the myth this was based on now.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another cute one in this series though it didn't feel long enough to develop the fun plot points enough for me.

***Spoilers***

Iris spends so much time wondering about her friend Athenia possibly stealing her crushes before Iris is even able to admit she likes the boy that we lose out a bit on what could have been more detailed chapters on her trip to the Underworld to borrow a pitcher for Zeus and the whole Cyrano de Bergerac style shenanigans.

Still; it was fun and another good edition to the Goddess Girl line up for the books focused NOT on the main 4 Goddess Girls. I kinda hope we'll see the Goddess of Rainbows and her windy crush Zephyr again soon!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris is the most colorful Goddess Girl at Mount Olympus Academy. Her hair changes from Pink, to Blue, and many other colors according to her mood. She is also able to move quickly with her rainbow creations that she spins from her hands. Trustworthy Iris is asked by Zeus to fetch some magical water from the Underworld River Styx. She manages to do this with a few little difficulties but then all her friends want her to deliver their messages!` On top of all of this, she is crushing on Zephyr, a godboy of the West Wind, but she is not sure if he likes her or her BFF Antheia.
This fast paced and enjoyable read like others in the series has an underlying message. In Iris the Colorful it is about being true to yourself and honest with your friends. Recommended.

[Narariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun young adult book, the book presents a fun view of the Greek gods and goddesses. Part of the Goddess Girls series, the storylines involve various goddesses and famed mortals and how they might have interacted in a school-like setting. This book focuses on the struggles of Iris, goddess of the rainbows, as she tries to master her rainbows and deal with other issues. This is not a book to teach actual mythology though it might get a kid interested in learning more. It's a light read with an underlying moral that's not too obvious.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! Even though this is a children's book I still like to read it because it's a nice twist on Greek mythology and the gods and goddesses!

This book was actually one of my top five because the pov wasnt one of the 4 godessgirls and it included boreas and the other winds and typhon.

So overall good book. I'm looking forward to the next in the series

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great edition to the Godessgirls series. It was funny and was an easy book to read. Girls my age could read this book and think wow I totally get how Iris is feeling. Though this book didn't have much action until the end, there was mystery at the book that made up for the lack of action. I will definitely read the rest of the series, even if I grow out of it.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book. Iris goes on a mission and completes the quest meanwhile she has a crush but her best friend is always taking them. She finds out in the end that her best friend copies her because she thinks the boys Iris picks is the best

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was not as good as a lot of the others we have read. It was still a good book but I did lose interest a few times and so did the kids, but we powered through and they still want to read the next one so out was still an ok read, just not our favorite.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing I love these books age is truly a number and does not define us I read these books that are meant for younger ages but there really good I just love the new love between zephyr and iris zephyris (ship names)

[Jolie]

This is a series of goddess girls books this one is about one of the goddesses Isis, she is a very imaginative and creative person, she helps to deliver a secret message and through her journey she met different people.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the others in the series, but it still liked it! Her hair on the cover is a little odd, though.