4.5 stars. Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games. Strong female protagonist/reluctant hero. Lots of action. Sets up for a sequel out later this fall. I was pleasantly surprised by how this hooked and kept my attention. When I set it down, I was always eager to get back to it as soon as possible. Highly recommend.

A book written by Ms. Arditi brought something fresh to Greek mythology and trials topic, something that gave me a read that I was captivated by!
Hope is a type of girl that should be put more often in the YA books (or maybe not - so we would cherish that kind of characters like Hope a little less). The plot was intriguing, heck... it kept me captive till the end! BOOK 2 WILL have such big expectations from me, and I hope so much it will be meet.
If you like mythology, great heroine, intriguing ideas, and TRIALS!

This was so amazing, brilliant, fantastic. If you like Greek gods and a heroine fighting for what she believes in this is a book you HAVE to read. It was impossible to put down and if I hadn’t have to sleep I would have read it in one sitting. I liked Hope, even if she can be a little too good sometimes. She loves her mom and would do anything to save her and when she learns that the Gods will grant her one wish, when winning the tournament, she knows she has to give it her best - for her mom. The Gods.... Well, not really likeable. It was more like I hated them a little more with every chapter I read. And the grand prize in being hated, takes Hades. Unsurprisingly, he is the one I wanted to kill myself. Or maybe trap him in the hell he creates for the bad guys to repent for their sins. The only ray of hope between the gods and divinities is Kieron, son of Hades and Persephone. I can see, why Hope would be attracted to him, it’s hard not to swoon. So, there is a lot of heartache, death and emotions going on and I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun in revealing more. But I urge everyone, READ THIS BOOK! Now I have to wait for the next one and it’s going to be really hard.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Astrid Arditi!

As a fan of Greek mythology, I was drawn to Olympian Challenger (along with it's pretty cover art) by Astrid Arditi. The book launches almost straight in with Hope, and every other seventeen-year old in New York, being invited to a mysterious challenge. The challenge turns out to be a Hunger Games-style competition to see who will become the next Hero to fight on behalf of the gods. One could enjoy this book for the retelling of many classic Greek myths, but there were also many flaws.

What I Liked:
Greek Mythology:

I enjoyed how the author wove various Greek myths into the story. Each challenge is centered around a particular Greek myth. This gives the characters an opportunity to learn about each Greek story, and find a way to win the challenge.

What I Didn't Like:
"Missing Parent" Syndrome:

If you have read some of my other reviews, one of my most hated tropes is the "missing parent". This book takes that trope to the extreme by making ALL the teen characters without at least one parent! The book's explanation is that having the blood of Greek Gods makes people go insane. I thought this was exploiting a painful situation for a teen to make it seem like some kind of badge of honor. It's not.

Romance:

Hope is instantly drawn to a "bad boy" minor god, the son of (who else) Hades. He "used to be bad", but he's changed and is now a great guy. But he is haunted by his past. This was such a cliche!

Lack of Originality:

Much of the book reminded me of The Hunger Games. There was the competition where, after learning about weapons, the challengers had to showcase their talents in order to attract "sponsors". The competition, itself, seemed to be happening mostly for the entertainment of the gods, and residents of Panem, oops, I mean Olympus. And most of the competitors die in gruesome ways.

And, until the very end of the book, Hope and the other teens don't seem very concerned or upset that other kids are getting killed as entertainment. I found that very disturbing.

Characters:

Most of the characters were two-dimensional, each having just one distinguishing feature. There was the angry foster kid, the handsome, but evil, jock, and the one gay character. All were mostly stereotypes.

I haven't come across a book that spotlighted the Greek gods since Percy Jackson came out, and considering that I'm a huge fan of mythologies, I found this tread really entertaining. I also love competition books with a hint of romance and a lot of danger. Hope is amusing, funny even in dire times, and I liked her friends and the thing she had with one of the other characters. The hopeless romantic in me wanted something a little deeper (or at least given more time to really sink into it) but this book isn't necessary a romance read, so I won't judge it too critically. Overall, it was a lot of fun. The bigger picture is pretty dark, which I loved, and though I didn't get her initial reluctance to be a part of this world, I still thought it was a good time. It's a recommended read if you love the Greek gods, competitions and heroes who learn that not everything is black and white.

I was provided this book for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi is a Teen/YA novel and the first book in the series.
Wow! I loved this! Hope Diaz is a hardworking teenager who is juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and caring for her sick mother. One morning she receives a strange invitation in the mail with words appearing on it that only she can see and a challenge that should she accept and win would allow her one wish. Hope doesn’t quite know if she should believe this mysterious invite but is intrigued as this one wish could be the answer to curing her mother. Unintentionally, Hope passes the first challenge presented on the invite and gets whisked away to Mount Olympus where she discovers that Greek Gods and all the myths she’s heard of are in fact real and she is now a contestant, along with a bunch of other kids her age, in a competition put on by the Gods. Hope and the other teens must face terrible trials and challenges to reveal the one winner. Full of action, twists, toooons of mythology(Love it!), and a bit of romance, I enjoyed watching Hopes growth throughout the book and her budding friendships with fellow contestants.
I would definitely recommend this book to my fellow lovers of YA and mythology and I can’t wait for the second book to come out!!

DNF at chapter 5.

Honestly? This book just didn't click with me. It felt as though it was trying to be something it wasn't. Someone else could love this book and be obsessed, it has the potential. I just didn't vibe with it and I'm not going to force myself to read something I don't like.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a rather easy read. I finished it in less than 4 hours. The cover is what attracted me most, especially the title. I tend to get interested in stories that have a Greek/Roman mythology theme to it. The most interesting parts of the book were, of course, the Gods and heroes themselves and their stories as to how they all ended up where they are when the reader begins the journey of Hope Diaz. If one is familiar with Greek mythology, there should be plenty of familiarity with the actions and inactions of these Gods, demi-gods, and heroes, such as Heracles or Ariadne.

Set in modern times, the divide between the Gods and humans have caused strife due to a barrier separating their worlds. Hope Diaz is just one of many random New Yorkers, all the age of 17, to be selected to compete for a single wish and to help get rid of the divide as the newest Olympian hero. The competitions the champions are chosen to do all relate to the Gods and heroes in some way. Hope Diaz, the main girl of the novel and unwilling contender, has a selfless love for all those she befriends and helps out throughout the story. This selflessness gets her into more trouble than it would normal people. She sacrifices much of herself for the sake of others, especially her closest friends, which is explained in detail in the novel, and it often causes more trouble for her than would be necessary should she have been more selfish. At times, however, it won her the attention of both allies and enemies alike. I found it rather hard to believe anyone could be that selfless for a stranger, even those that one must fight in the end, but it is fiction!

The novel was rather decent (the Gods and heroes were the most interesting part to be honest) up until a little more than halfway when the romance started with Hope Diaz. I feel that the novel as a whole could have done quite well with just a platonic relationship for Hope. The romance seemed quite rushed and made Hope no longer seem as a 17 year old, but a 13 year old who is worried that the boy she likes won't like her and that she must do everything to win his heart and think about him at all times. I would have really liked a more build of their friendship to relationship. It would have transitioned more smoothly and could have been solidified in the next book of the series.

Overall, the novel had concise language and grammar. The imagery was spot on; I could just imagine myself in the Gods' palaces and the forest where many of the trials took place, battling monsters or looking for answers. The only thing that I feel that the author could improve on is doing more to establish and have more interaction in the relationships between characters, platonic or romantic, in order to get the reader to feel a kinship of sorts with the characters themselves. I could not feel close to Hope nor any of her other friends or enemies, and I found that to be the greatest pity of my reading experience.

What is it about?

Every high school senior in New York receives an invitation, but only a few can actually read the riddle written on it. Hope is one of these special people, and ends up dragged to Mount Olympus to compete in a tournament to become the next great Greek hero. 

Was it good?

I enjoyed the study of mythology in school, and was always fascinated by the stories. I've forgotten a lot of the information since then, so I was hoping this book would include some of the mythology behind the gods. I was disappointed that this book glossed over that goldmine of story telling. 

Also, I thought the characters seemed flat and their relationships were not believable. All the friendships and love seemed instant, and the love one did not speak to a healthy future relationship. 

Still, the book WAS interesting, and it was a quick and easy read. If you like competition, finding strength in love, Greek gods and monsters, then this might be the book for you.

i really liked this book. It was a great mix of urban and fantasy, and a nice touch of mythology. I really enjoyed the romance aspects, as well as the world building and strong series opener. The characters were strong and likeable, a solid read.

”Your humanity- that is your greatest beauty.”

Hope Diaz is living a busy and somewhat difficult life. She’s on the swim team at school, her father left, and her mother has Alzheimer’s. And then one day, she and a bunch of other students (in the US? All over the world?) receive mysterious letters to prove their bravery in order to be granted a wish. She accidentally meets the requirements and finds herself in Olympus competing in a competition in order to grant a wish, a wish that could save her mother’s life.

Olympian Challenger had a decent set up to become a pretty good book. There was a competition, Greek mythology, a fictional (or not?) location, and an opportunity to make a point about humanity. But where it failed in becoming a great, or even a good book was with the characters and the writing.

All of the characters were flat and not very well-rounded. The main character especially got on my nerves constantly saying how selfish she was when she LITERALLY did nothing wrong. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s a character with no real flaws. But something that REALLY got to me was that one of the characters identified as LGBTQ+ and his main purpose in the book seemed to be proving how kind the main character was. Majority of the dialogue that came out of his mouth were insecure thoughts in front of the main character so she could then say “Why would you think like that? You’re PERFECT.” 8.) But did she ever mention her insecurities? No.

Also, the writing felt very juvenile. From the way the sentences were worded, to the way the characters talked and sometimes acted. Everything felt very young.

The quests/challenges were very interesting to read and creative. I think if there had been more challenges and less of the main character talking/thinking this would have been better. Although, there weren’t any real twists, which also kept it kind of dull.

Do I recommend?
This would maybe be suited better to a young young adult. Maybe someone 12-15 would enjoy this a lot more and find it cute.

I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I had a few worries when I started reading this. I was not sure how it would turn out and them getting the news that they got was not what I thought would happen, but them being sponsored by Olympian Gods or Goddesses. There are a lot of trials and challenges that they have to go through. They are given a limited time to train and try to impression the gods to help them along the way. The winner and hero will be granted a wish. They are wishing for something they believe will make their lives better. I want to see what is going to happen next. I wish the Greek Mythology for the story would have been a little more in-depth. It was a good read over all.

— I recieved a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review —
Reminiscent of the Percy Jackson series, this is a very fun, quick read. Hope Diaz accidentally ends up on Mount Olympus, forced to compete to become the next great olympian hero. She is determined to return home to her mother with dementia, but eventually has to accept that she cannot move backwards, only forwards.
While the story has a wonderful premise, I did feel that it was rather predictable and full of clichés. I don’t think there was any moment in the book where I was truly surprised. I also felt that the characters were rather one-dimensional. But nevertheless, this was a fun read!

The Hunger Games with a Greek myth twist. Challengers must survive trials to gain a wish from the gods and the potential to be a hero. Hope is no Katniss, but this is still a fun, enjoyable read.

I loved this book!!! So thrilling, and fast paced!! Hopes story is so sweet. I strongly recommend this book.

Hope’s world doesn’t have room for heroes. She barely has time for schoolwork, swim team, and taking care of her ailing mother. But when she’s invited to a mysterious tournament, which promises to make her deepest wish come true, the all-powerful hosts won’t take no for an answer.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. I was drawn to this book by the cover and the title. The cover is unique among other books I've read in this genre so far this year. It's odd to see a full body cover or even any character on a cover anymore. The title was also interesting as it clearly referenced greek myths. While I'm partial to Roman myths ( as we've discussed on this blog before ) I was also excited to see what this author had to offer to the genre.

Overall, I thought this plot was a bit derivative of other Greek-myth based stories. In fact, it's the second or third I've read so far this year to circle around this motif. While there were some twists to some parts of the plot that made it different from others in the genre, most of the plot points were predictable. While I was entertained, I never felt completely invested in this book as I have others so far this year.

Hope was a great character for this quintessential "Hero's Journey". She's simultaneously reluctant and eager. She's relatable but there's something "special" about her. I found her a bit cold and difficult to connect with at the beginning of the story, but definitely warmed up to her as the plot progressed. Her chemistry with her love interest with other characters was interesting, but, most like the plot, predictable as the books continued on.

What I appreciated most about this book, especially when considering the genre, was the setting. While there are many books about the Greek Gods, how many actually take place on the Greek God home turf, Mount Olympus? I'm sure some diligent readers of the genre could correct me, but I felt, as only a recreational reader, that the change of scenery was much appreciated. I also enjoyed the references to lesser known Gods and Demigods that you don't see quite as often in popular literature. It's clear the author did her research and is invested in the background of the book. Well done!

Olympian Challenger is the first book in it's series. It is a fun, entertaining story with a fairly typical hero's journey plot line and relatable but normal narrator. Fans of the genre will enjoy the unique elements of the story, including the setting and the diversity of the characters. As a more recreational read of Greek Myth-based novels, I enjoyed the book but found it predictable.

Olympian Challenger ~ Astrid Arditi
HYLIANREBEL June 20, 2018

An amazing journey into the world of the Greek Gods. It is hard to find a way to do a spin on the Olympians that hasn’t been done in some form of fashion, but I believe the Astrid Arditi has done just this. The story was well written and well read. I was waiting to find out what came next every time I had to step away from the book.

Astrid has managed to instantly establish a secure and emotional connection with the heroine. Quickly giving you a sense of their personality without taking more than a couple of pages. She has even managed to give a good well rounded personality to the supporting characters. Making a lasting impression on each and every player on the board. You cant help but hate the villains (even though they aren’t who you think at first), love the underdogs, and want to save every single friend.

She has awaken the Olympus that we have all imagined at one point growing up. From the colossal temples to the cloud filled surroundings. Every aspect of Mount Olympus is as you would expect it to be with out feeling like you just watched a Disney movie. Hopes home in New York is described in such a way that it could be your own home adding to the attachment to the character.

I will personally be awaiting the next installment in this fast paced new series from Astrid Arditi.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

I normally rate books on an integral system but I had trouble rating this one because while I did like it, I wasn’t quite sure it deserves 4 stars.

I requested Olympian Challenger because I really quite enjoyed Percy Jackson and wanted to read another book where fiction and mythology come together. And while it lacked the comical wit and easy writing of Rick Riordan’s books, it did have a great plot which made it a worthy read.

That being said, I did have issues with the pacing of the book. Despite the fact that it was filled with heroic quests and action, I found it really slow in parts. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance in the novel because it seemed unnecessary.

As for the characters, despite the fact that Hope is the main character, I liked her friends Amy and Gabriel a lot more. They were quite interesting.

Normally I love anything that has to do with Greek Gods. They have always fascinated me so when I saw this beautiful cover and synopsis I was sold. However when I actually got to reading it, I felt different about it. To the point that it was a DNF for me.

The writing just seemed childish to me. Nothing of great detail, and I'm a lover of detail!
It was really repetitive in the beginning about the letter and she was the only one to be able to read it. I just couldn't get passed the writing style to be able to get to the good parts. However, I am not comfortable rating it lower because I didn't finish it. So this book could have some great qualities but I couldn't get to them.

That gosh darn cover! I freaking love it! I love Greek Mythology, Zesus still sucks, Hades is truly a bad man, and the rest....Well you read it let me know! LOL Hope Diaz is a teenager trying to take care of her mother, who has dementia. Hope is able to take care of her mother with the help of her mom's bestfriend. Hope receives an invitation in the mail about a challenge but so does every student in her school. Hope goes for a walk to clear her mind, and see's someone jump into the water. She instantly jumps in to save them and is transported to Olympus after being saved by a God. We see Hope coming to terms with the idea that she will actually have to compete in the challenge. Hope makes friends and unfortunately enemies too! The challenges went by pretty quick, and every challenger wanted to be there except Hope. I would have loved more back story on Hope, and the other challengers. I kept confusing everyone, and had to go back and read about them again lol. The END..what?? After all that, I cannot wait for the next book because I was a little upset at the ending, I mean come on. HUGE cliffhanger, like HUG!