The Olympus Trinity
by Brian Coggins Jr.
Publication Date: April 11, 2022
★★★☆☆
"Even in your darkest moments, family will be there for each other. Above all else, family is everything."
The Olympus Trinity tells the story of the forefathers of Olympus, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, who are thrown back into each other's troubled lives and they must cast aside their differences to unravel the threads of a perilous mystery of their past.
I am an avid fan of Greek mythology, to the point where, alongside Greek mythology, I studied ancient Greek and Roman history, Greek and Latin languages, and ancient religion during my time at university. The stories of the heroes and gods of Olympus are basically in my blood - even to the point where my spirituality uses these key figures as symbols of what I pursue in life.
I had the privilege of speaking with the author after he reached out to me about getting a review for this novel. In discovering our shared love of escape through myth and legend, I happily accepted a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In The Olympus Trinity, Greek mythology meets science fiction in this earth-defying reimagining of the events throughout the ancient Greek world. Many parallels are offered with the foundation story of the Olympians and how they came to be, but set in an other-worldly setting that spans galaxies. Earth exists, yes, but each world and planet holds nuggets of myth and stories within.
The biggest comparison (and selling point) for me was the incorporation of the epic tales set in an alternate history, of sorts. Many Greek myths were presented throughout the course of this novel, stemming from the Prophecy of Kronos and the loves and lives of the original Olympians, their children, their conquests and their infidelities. Also included were nods to Egyptian mythology and history, which closely relate to the stories and interactions of the gods.
The beginning of the adventure starts by recounting the three brothers - Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades - in their epic fight against Kronos in retaliation to the abuse and trauma their mother, Rhea, experienced at his hands. After successfully overthrowing Kronos - and his subsequent imprisonment - the brothers parted ways. However, parting is not such sweet sorrow as they grapple the effects the battle had on their mother, which puts a wedge between which leads to the continued tension throughout the novel.
All of the book is written from the male perspective, as the points-of-view shifts between the three gods. Some appearances are made by the women of the myths, but they are usually in the background (sisters and children of the Trinity), or used as a tool to spur the plot forward. Personally, I would have liked to see more female representation throughout the book, as the goddesses of Greek myth and legend were formidable characters. In this setting, I felt that they were often overshadowed by the roles and abilities of the Trinity and other gods.
The writing itself in this book was enjoyable. The author did well to describe the various locations (planets, cities, buildings and landscape) in a way that immerses the reader in the experience. At times, I did find myself backtracking slightly to review a detail I thought I missed, but overall it was good logic and organization.
The author does a great job at pulling in specific detail. The description of the clothing that readily mirrors the garb of ancient Greece is spot on. I could easily envision the armor and weapons presented - not to mention the battle sequences were thorough and descriptive.
The dialogue between characters varied for me. There were times where it was formal and eloquent, similar to what I would expect from epic fantasy. Within the next few exchanges it would retract to a more casual - almost modern - interaction between speakers. This gave a somewhat uncomfortable and dizzying sensation as I acclimated to the constant switch in formality. It's hard to monitor what would be appropriate in a story like this, partially because it bridges the old (ancient Greece) with the new (space exploration and travel). This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely took some getting used to.
The biggest theme of the novel is the love of family - which is such an important and poignant message that translates well in books. For many, family is the cement of life. As a person who has had a hard time navigating the relationships of the world, it was a humble reminder of the connections I have cultivated in my own family. Yes, family is a wonderful thing, but it is multi-faceted and emotional. There are ups and downs. There are times when you can't stand to be in the presence of one another, but losing those integral members would halt the world and freeze time.
Overall, I found this a quick and enjoyable read. Despite the occasional grammatical errors, it was a very well-thought out plot with multitudes of twists, turns, intertwining of detail and an ultimate homage to the myths of old. There were some things that needed a bit of polish, but it's a great establishment of an epic tale that has more to come.
This will be a great addition for those who enjoy mythology and are willing to jump into a bridging of fantasy and science. Some tough subjects are dealt with, including domestic and child abuse, war and combat violence, and emotional tension between estranged family members. Please read with care.
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