Welcome to the wonderfully wacky world of ODD GODS: Misfit Myths from Mount Olympus Middle School! In this review, we’re diving into the first book of a series that introduces us to our not-so-typical hero, Oddonis — a kid who’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to being divine.
Oddonis is no ordinary godly kid. Nope! He’s the not-so-glamorous son of Zeus — the guy who’s basically the god of everything — and Freya, the goddess of love. Spoiler alert: Oddonis didn’t exactly get the best genetic set-up. With wild, messy black hair, a belly that jiggles like a bowl of jelly, and a double chin, it’s no wonder his parents are a tad disappointed.
Let’s just say he’s not packing any serious strength, athletic skills, or artistic flair. Meanwhile, his twin brother Adonis is living up to his name, looking every bit the ideal god!
But here’s where things start to get interesting! As Oddonis prepares for his big debut at Mount Olympus Middle School, he’s crossing his fingers that this time around might be different. His previous school experiences? Well, let’s just say “awkward” doesn’t quite capture it. He’s ready to shake off his oddball reputation and find a place where being “different” is the coolest thing since sliced ambrosia!
What epic misadventures lie ahead for Oddonis after bouncing between three grade schools — Spartacus, Zorba, and Trour — before landing in the chaotic halls of Mount Olympus Middle School? Will he make new friends, learn to embrace his quirks, or at the very least, dodge getting stuffed into a locker by a mini-Hercules? If you’ve ever felt like an oddball yourself, you’ll want to get your hands on ODD GODS right away!
But fair warning — this book has some stinky humor that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. So, is ODD GODS worth the read? Keep going to find out!
ODD GODS Review: The Cast of Characters
Get ready to dive into the wild world of ODD GODS, where every character is somewhat odd! You’ve already met the quirky Oddonis and the cool Adonis, but hold on tight — Oddonis is about to take you on a ride to Mount Olympus Middle School, where you’ll encounter a whole crew of godly and demigod characters.
When Oddonis hops on the bus to attend school, you won’t believe your eyes! It’s packed with kids connected to Greek mythology in all sorts of wild ways. Just check out the illustration below — you’ll spot kids who look like the Minotaur, a Cyclops, and even Pan, the wild goat god!
And let’s not forget the bus driver, Paethon, a tortured soul whose dad, Helios, the sun god, found a way to punish him for crashing his sun chariot: a lifelong gig driving a school bus. Talk about a divine twist!
ODD GODS: Gaseous
Alright, let me spill some baked bean soup on this book — one thing that really drove me up the wall was the fart humor! I mean, I guess the title ODD GODS gives you a little heads-up, but I definitely wasn’t prepared for the level of flatulence that was about to go down.
Seriously, it felt like they turned the mighty Greek gods, like Uranus, into the ultimate pranksters — as if they were just a bunch of cosmic jokesters! It’s like they took these powerful deities and made them look like absolute goofballs! Come on, can we give them a bit more dignity than that?
Ares: The Bully God
In ODD GODS, Ares is basically the ultimate schoolyard bully, strutting around like he owns the place. Seriously, it’s hilarious to watch him flex his “godly” muscles while throwing around some major attitude! You can practically see him shoving people into lockers — classic Ares!
If you have a fascination with Ares, the God of War, this graphic novel is sure to captivate you.
Oddonis’s Guide to talking to a Girl
The ODD GODS book even throws in a guide on how to talk to girls. Sure, it’s probably not the best advice since it’s coming from Oddonis, but honestly, it’s one of the most amusing things in this extremely odd book!
Mathena: The Odd God Math Whiz
Say hello to Mathena, the coolest mathlete in ODD GODS! With Athena, the goddess of war and poetry, as her mom and Euclid, the geometry guru, as her dad, you’d better believe she’s got numbers dancing in her head!
Alright, let’s keep it real — some of the characters, like Puneous the pint-sized god, didn’t really do much for me. And Principle Deadipus? More like Principle Skullface, am I right? Then there’s Germes, Hermes’ son, who’s basically a germ machine. But, hey, it’s called ODD GODS for a reason!
Now, Mathena? She’s the complete opposite — definitely the coolest, most awesome chick in the entire Odd Gods universe!
Oddonis and Mathena bring a refreshing burst of energy to the narrative through their vibrant friendship. Their dynamic is the catalyst that propels the story forward, igniting the main plot and setting everything in motion.
Athena fans, check this out! “By George! ATHENA Graphic Novel is Good” — find out what makes it a compelling read!
Odd God Furies
In Odd Gods, you’ll also get to hang out with the Furies in the cafeteria, where they whip up some seriously questionable dishes! Jump into the story to find out what kind of meal Oddonis ends up with.
ODD GODS: Mount Olympus Middle School Election
In Odd Gods, one of the biggest storylines revolves around an election where Oddonis runs against his charismatic brother, Adonis. Can he pull off a win? Mathena is completely convinced he can!
But then everything goes sideways for Oddonis when he’s caught cheating.
Can Oddonis bounce back and turn it all around to clinch the election? No spoilers here — grab the book and see how it all plays out!
ODD GODS: Book Series
“ODD GODS: Misfit Myths from Mount Olympus Middle School” has been created by David Slavin and Daniel Weitzman, with illustrations by Adam J.B. Lane.
This book is definitely… out there. Have you checked out the series? At the time of this review, it includes the first book, then “The ODDyssey” (clever title, isn’t it?), and the third book, “The ODDlympics.”
The second book, “The ODDyssey,” has particularly piqued my curiosity after reading book one, and I’m eager to see how its quirkiness compares to the first. I appreciate how the series maintains the ‘ODD’ theme throughout — it’s quite clever branding, if you ask me.
ODD GODS: An Honest Review
Alright, let’s get real for a second. This book had all the makings of a classic — a potential kids’ gem — yet somehow decided to take a detour through Fartsville. Seriously, someone must have taken a long detour on the way to creativity!
Oddonis, bless his heart, is about as likeable as a three-legged cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The story had its moments, but they were often overshadowed by more pitfalls than a slapstick comedy.
Now, let’s give credit where it’s due: the illustrations sprinkled throughout saved this ship from sinking — I mean, without them, we’d likely be talking about a 3 or 4 out of 10. So, drumroll please… I’m giving ODD GODS a generous 5 out of 10. But if it weren’t for some of those lively drawings, I’d be waving a white flag at those lower numbers.
The premise had all the potential to soar, but instead, it felt like a balloon that got popped at a birthday party. I mean, is anyone really dying to read about bathroom humor? Who is this book even for? You’d have to be the weirdest kid in the world. And gifting it? Forget it! Handing this book to someone might have them questioning their own strangeness — yikes!
Mathena, though? A breath of fresh, wonderfully weird air! If anyone deserves the spotlight, it’s her. She could have easily carried the story on her shoulders, while Oddonis just sort of… floats along like a balloon without much air. And as for the rest of the characters? I couldn’t muster up any interest in them. Adonis? Oh, he and Oddonis can form a club of unlikability together.
Maybe I’ve aged out of the target audience — or maybe I’m just aiming for a bit more substance. Kids deserve better than this, even if many of them are a little odd and quirky. Perhaps “The Odyssey” will swoop in and save the day, who knows?
Check Availability and Pricing: ODD GODS (Book 1): Misfit Myths from Mount Olympus Middle School
Odd Gods: An Opposite Book Recommendation
If you’re on the hunt for an awesome gift for a kid in your life — whether they’re delightfully different, wonderfully weird, or downright cool — you can’t go wrong with “The Orchard Book of Greek Myths.”
This literary gem is packed with thrilling stories and fascinating characters that will spark their imagination and take them on epic adventures. It’s the perfect way to introduce them to the timeless tales of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures that have enchanted readers for generations. So go ahead, spread the magic of storytelling!
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