Menu
  • Hello!
  • Book Reviews
    • Bookish Updates
    • Review Policy
  • Writing
    • Writing Updates
    • Novels
    • Short Stories
    • Poetry
  • Illustration
    • Commissions
    • Book Covers
  • Music
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Review Policy
February 23, 2018January 16, 2019

Review: Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.19″]

Olympian Challenger is the first novel in the Olympian Challenger series by Astrid Arditi. scheduled for release on 3rd July 2018 I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.19″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://catherinerosegunther.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/38104178-1.jpg” _builder_version=”3.19″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.19″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_blurb title=”Synopsis” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”3.19″]

Olympian Challenger follows the story of a teenager named Hope, who accidentally gets swept up in a deadly and mysterious tournament created by the Gods of Olympus. As descendents of the gods themselves, the teenagers that have been chosen to participate are more than happy to learn of their inherited gifts and fight their way to being crowned champion of the gods. But all Hope wants to do is find a way home, to find a way back to her single mother in New York City, who is suffering from dementia. But as the challenges continue and the prize edges every closer Hope decides she will do whatever she can to win so her wish can be granted,  to see her mother cured, if she can survive.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.19″]

Now as someone who has a deep love for mythology, especially Greek mythology I was very excited to read this books. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the premise left me with some high hopes. As someone who enjoyed the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief series, I was excited to see what Arditi’s book had to offer.

The thing I liked about this book was that it tried to be diverse in the inclusion of supporting characters from different walks of life and how it highlight’s some of the tough situations certain groups of people face. The two biggest in this book being the struggle of foster kids in the system, portrayed by a troubled and thieving Amy,  and the acceptance of LGBTQI+ people, specifically through Gabriel, a teenage boy whose wish initially is to be cured of his attraction to men so his father will accept him. Reading that part in the book was tough, but his growth in the book of self-acceptance and love is a beautiful sup plot to the main story. I really grew to love Amy and Gabriel, and their loyal friendship with Hope is such a crucial thing.

I also liked Hope’s growth throughout the book from a girl who just wants to escape home, to becoming a young woman with some guts and grit as the challenges progress and the number of surviving competitors dwindles.

The book has some serious Hunger Games vibes, and I don’t mind it. The characters themselves even reference it. A few pop culture references slip in throughout parts as a reminded that they all came from modern-day New York.

Initially I struggled to get into the book. The opening chapters felt a little clunky and the flow of sentences felt stiff. All the sentences seemed to be the same length and didn’t provide any flow or rhythm when reading. However after the initial chapters the writing smoothed out a bit and it was a lot easier to read. The book was a quick read and I finished it in less than a day.

The main ‘forbidden love’ story that weaves throughout was interesting but predictable. I could love it or leave it, and I don’t think the story would’ve changed a great deal without it. Hope is a fairly strong, sometimes a little too ‘I have to save everyone’ type of character but ultimately she studies and works hard towards the challenges and can get by just fine without the love interest, even if she doesn’t always see it herself.

Overall I did end up enjoying the book by the end as the challenges the competitors had to face, which followed the stories of various gods and their amazing feats, was what kept me going. A quick read the pacing of the book keeps you moving forward without leaving you too long to linger on the events unfolding. I know this is the first in a series of books, but the ending felt rather sudden and not quite what I had wanted or felt should’ve have happened. But nevertheless is was still a decent read. I would maybe read the second novel when it comes out next year just to know what happened after the tournament, but it’s not on high on my list for books I’d recommend reading.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

1 thought on “Review: Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi”

  1. Anonymous says:
    May 21, 2022 at 8:09 pm

    5

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • REVIEW: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

    REVIEW: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

    March 8, 2023
  • Vegetarian Lentil Lasagne

    Vegetarian Lentil Lasagne

    March 5, 2023
  • Fresh Pasta Dough

    Fresh Pasta Dough

    March 5, 2023
  • REVIEW: The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

    REVIEW: The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

    January 2, 2023
  • Deliciously Buttery Shortbread Biscuits

    Deliciously Buttery Shortbread Biscuits

    October 5, 2022

wilddinosaurr

Catherine Gunther
Mudgee you were something special! Looking forward Mudgee you were something special! Looking forward to sharing our spoils from the weekend with friends and family over the next few months ✨🍷✨ #longweekend #mudgee #mudgeewine #winetasting #regionalnsw #weekendaway #winery
#currentlyreading and loving the cosy fantasy feel #currentlyreading and loving the cosy fantasy feel of this book! ✨✨✨ @heather_fawcett ✨✨✨ #emilywidesencyclopaediaoffaeries #fantasy #bookworm #booklove #reading
✨ 2 years of fun and grand adventures ✨ ✨ 2 years of fun and grand adventures ✨
New #ThroneofGlass editions are out in the world t New #ThroneofGlass editions are out in the world this week and they’re looking great. ❤️⚔️🏰 #sarahjmaas #bloomsbury @bloomsburypublishing #fantasybooks
Over the last few weeks I’ve been going through Over the last few weeks I’ve been going through some heavy duty editing of my novel which has been so rewarding seeing it come together better than ever. But being sick this week I took a break and drew out the world map and Academy map from my book which was a lot of fun. Looking forward to finishing these edits in the next month so I can start sharing with beta readers!! ✨#editing #mapmaking #fantasymap #fantasynovel #fantasybook #novel #writer #currentlywriting #betareaders #novelwriting #manuscript #manuscriptedits
Reunited with mum for a quick visit so we went and Reunited with mum for a quick visit so we went and looked at cool art ❤️ #museumofart #dohosuh
Follow on Instagram

Catherine Rose Gunther

Catherine is a fantasy writer, avid reader and lover of all things books. She also illustrated and creates music in her spare time.

  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Instagram

In the spirit of reconciliation I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. The land on which I work and live belongs to the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

©2023 | Powered by WordPress and Superb Themes!