Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rise of the Olympians #1

Rise of the Olympians

Rate this book
"A swicked adventure that will leave you smiling and wanting more." -HM Ward, New York Times Bestselling Author

There are no minor gods.

Lilah Jones is officially thirteen. Unfortunately, the day comes with a few twists she didn't expect. For example, her hair turned into a living rainbow and she was gifted with a golden necklace that randomly goes from being room temperature to as hot a supernova. On top of that, she has a dream that she remembers line by the line when she wakes up.

Seeking answers, Lilah meets two boys, named Cole and Adrian, who gladly clear things up. Remember the Greek myths you assumed were fiction? The old gods that you assumed were just someone's imagination? You were wrong. They've been with us the whole time, fighting battles we didn't even know existed, and they've returned. The Olympians are reuniting, preparing to fight the most dangerous battle they've ever faced.

The Father of Monsters is rising.

Genre: MG/YA Paranormal Contemporary Greek Mythology Adventure
Type: Novella, 1 of 3
Length: Approx. 100 pgs ea.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2014

About the author

Belle Ward

9 books34 followers
Belle Ward wrote her first series RISE OF THE OLYMPIANS at age 14 after she graduated from high school. This series focuses on your favorite tales from Greek mythology spun with a modern twist. RISE is filled with adventure, action, wit, and humor.

When Belle's not writing she enjoys riding her horse, Cimmaron. Belle loves reading, traveling to new places, studying politics, and drawing. In the past few years Belle has visited London, New York City, Dallas, Austin, Aruba, and the Cayman Islands.

This native born Texan lives in with her family in a rural town and her puppy, Pixel.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
96 (37%)
4 stars
64 (25%)
3 stars
54 (21%)
2 stars
24 (9%)
1 star
17 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Jerecho.
392 reviews51 followers
February 28, 2019
Introduction

It's more likely an introduction to a book or the first few chapters of a book. There's no highlight nor an engaging scene to continue reading. All it did is to build or introduce the character of a rainbow colored head girl and the guys that she met at the ending of the book.

Maybe there might happen on the next book but the cliffhanger is written not quite good for me to be interested on the sequel.
Profile Image for Lindz..
1,052 reviews125 followers
September 7, 2014
I have to give this book five stars! First off it was written by a 14 year old, for 14 year olds! It was entirely colorful, adorable, playful, and age appropriate. It is not often you get books that actual 14 years olds should be reading in the young adult genre.

If I am being honest, Belle has a writer talent. She was born to weave clever stories about ancient gods being reborn. She brought the characters to life so well, and there were no plot holes! It was refreshing, clever,and fun to read. I instantly bought a copy for my daughters kindle and will be buying a copy for her school! I can't wait for the second book!!!!!

*I borrowed a copy from the Kindle Unlimited Program*
Profile Image for Antonella.
3,873 reviews549 followers
January 18, 2020
This was way too young & immature read for me.
If you have middle-grade kids at home, who love a bit of fantasy this is perfect for them...
Simply & lightly written it is really difficult to rate it...
2,5 stars
278 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2014
*I was lucky enough to get a ACR of this book*

At no point in this book, did I feel like I was reading a debut book, let alone written by young teenager.

The book is fast moving, with a lot happening and it does it in a way without making you feel confused. Bella has written it very well. The characters and relationships are described well.

This book is a book that can be read by children or adults.


Bella I read your book and I can't wait 4 the next one.
You have definitely got lots of talent
Your book is very well written and you got great writing style
Congratulations!!!
Profile Image for Misty.
34 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2014
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree... Belle ward has definitely received her mothers awesome writing ability !!!

It's about finally becoming a teen!!! But Lilah has to deal with more than just the usually teen stuff when she turns 13.... Rainbow hair, Greek gods & The Father of the Monsters..(eek!!)
Love the main character's (Lilah) personality so far...she's funny ...just like her wittiness!!
Can't wait for the next installment!!:)
Profile Image for Hope Parsons.
3 reviews
July 28, 2014
Very interesting concept, am very excited to see where this is going! I'm hoping the other books will be a tad bit longer though so I can be really engulfed into the story. Other than that I thought it was a nice start to the series, great job Belle! :)
Profile Image for Jan.
155 reviews15 followers
July 28, 2014
Very good book ........I love reading about mythology gods !! Can't wait for more ;)
Profile Image for Sarah Foxley.
68 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2019
I love Rick Riordan's series using myths e.g. Percy Jackson or Magnus Bane. I also enjoy many other YA books. I was hoping this would be a new series I could read & enjoy but sadly thats not going to happen.

The book is incredibly short which is probably why I didn't really feel like it went anywhere. There was no gradual building of the story & no suspense. The characters were pretty boring and they don't develop - probably because there isn't the space to do it.

I'm not really the target audience for this so although I found it highly disappointing I'm giving it 2 stars.
Profile Image for Excalibur Snape.
280 reviews
January 22, 2021
I give this book a 31/2
I feel this book should have been longer, we barely get a taste of the world nor do we really get to know the characters before suprise the book is over.....
Not much of a plot or anything really all we really get from this book is the Greek myths are true that the gods and monsters are real.
This series has potential I would like to see where the author is going to go with this.
Profile Image for Vickie.
182 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2017
I'm left hanging at the end

This had potential and just when it was getting interesting.... bam.... The book is done. Don't even start this if you don't have the second book in series. Was a VERY short book about the Olympian gods but not long enough to learn enough about the gods.
Profile Image for Julianne.
71 reviews
May 1, 2019
My 11 to daughter enjoyed this. It's her favorite genre.
Profile Image for Ashley.
313 reviews16 followers
August 20, 2014
Written by the 14 year old daughter of H.M. Ward, Rise of The Oympains is the debut of Belle Ward. And what a debut it is. Rise of The Olympians may be a novella, and this is only part one, but there's a bit of mystery, some suspense and my favorite, humor.

Lilah has just turned thirteen. She couldn't be happier about finally being a teen and as such, she's not afraid to show individuality. But when she goes to bed and dreams about a voice telling her “The Father of Monsters is rising” and she needs to find two others who are “from Heaven and Death” she brushes it off a weird dream. When she finds flyers around school for a new “Dream Club” she finds that there's more to her dream and what she always thought about the Greek myths may not be true at all.

I enjoyed Rise of The Olympians. It was a strong start to what I think will be an enjoyable novel overall. Lilah is a likable, if not slightly annoying, lead and Cole and Adrian help to round out the leads. The two boys were probably my favorite part. Trying to tell Lilah what's going on and her not believing, it was highly amusing for me. I'm really curious to find out who Lilah really is, but if I had to guess, I'd choose Iris.

The writing was good and flowed nicely. My only complaint is when Lilah would break the fourth wall. It through off my reading for a moment and it was unneeded I think. But overall, Rise of The Olympians is something that I'll keep reading.
Profile Image for Barbara Ann.
Author 20 books186 followers
March 5, 2017
First book in a middle grade short story series. Lilah is about to celebrate her thirteenth birthday. Her father surprises her with her favorite breakfast of pancakes and bacon. As she departs for school with her older brother, Jay, Lilah looks forward to her first class in which she is studying about Ancient Greece. Mr. Fisher is discussing the Olympians. For some reason, Lilah can't stop thinking about the lesson.

When Lilah gets home she is surprised by the gift of an angel-winged necklace from her dad. But when she prepares for bed, strange things begin to happen. The necklace heats up, her rainbow colored extensions suddenly become attached to her head, and she experiences a strange dream. The next day, Lilah is invited to join a special dream club. She is astonished to learn that the other members are Apollo and Hades. They think she is the goddess who will help them find the Father of the Monsters. A sudden crash, and all must run for their lives.....Will Lilah cast her fate with these strangers? Will she wake up from this nightmare?

This short story is a good length for reluctant readers. The characters are believable and interesting enough. What some readers may not like is that the tale ends in a cliffhanger. Readers will be left disappointed unless they immediately get a hold of Book Two.
Profile Image for Karen Pierce.
159 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2014
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Rise of the Olympians by Belle Ward - her debut novel.

This is a spoiler free review...

I must start off saying Belle is a chip of the block - she must have gotten the great writers gene from her mom....

Rise of the Olympians is a great novel for tweens and teens (and yes in my case adults) - both boys and girls will love this novel. Belle has shown that she can write and create well defined characters and build a great story line for them to jump off the page and keep the reader engaged.

Lilah is excited she is finally a teenager.....but what she doesn't expect for her birthday is to find out that she is not a normal teenager, I mean really how would you react after just turning thirteen and you hair turns rainbow colored then you find out that you are a Greek god. What enfolds is a great story about the Greek Gods, the Myths that we all know with a great little story twist....oh yeah and a good old fashioned cliff hanger ending - thanks Belle - you really are like your mom.....

I found this novel to move fast and had me turning pages to see what would happen next. Now I have to wait for the next installment to come.... yep just waiting.....
1,768 reviews14 followers
July 28, 2014
Rise of the Olympians by Belle Ward is an outstanding story with mystery and intrigue which captivates and engages the reader from the first page until the last page.
Lilah wakes up excited because it is her 13th birthday and puts on her colored clip-on hair extensions. After celebrating with her dad and brother, Lilah's hair has turned all different colors and she can't find any of the clips in her hair. At night, she dreams of a voice telling her that the Father of the Monsters is soon to rise, meet the celestial one and the one who rules death to bring together The Thirteen.
My favorite part of the story is when Lilah sees her hair all different colors, can't find any of the clip-ons, rushes to get her brother's help, and doesn't know how she will explain this to her dad.
Rise of the Olympians is the beginning of an exciting series, highly recommended, wonderfully written story by the talented Belle Ward.
I received an ARC of Rise of the Olympians by Belle Ward.
7 reviews
February 27, 2017
I didn't really like this. I mean, it's a really good story, with a very interesting plot and idea for a world with Greek gods in it, but just 'cause it was written by a 14 year old doesn't mean everyone should be generous in their reviews. I mean, I'm an author that hasn't published my first book yet, and I'm younger than her. You adults are just so weird. I mean, I've read books of the same level of writing, but written by adults, and they've gotten worse reviews.
Also, it ends way to short. The entire series could be squished into maybe three books.
I know that if you're reading this, you're probably frowning, thinking 'God, this bratty little kid, don't know talent when she sees it! (Ummm... is it a she?) And the gall to write a review like this... the author's only a 14 year old after all...' And if you're thinking that you just proved my point. Would your opinion of this book have changed if the author were a grown-up?
Profile Image for Laura.
2,157 reviews18 followers
February 10, 2017
On Lilah's 13th birthday she is given a necklace by her father...that night she has a strange dream that tells her she needs to find 2 other gods to help the Olympians. When a mysterious flyer about a dream club shows up on her locker the next day she tries to tell herself it is a coincidence but can't quite convince herself.

This was ok. I thought it was interesting way to incorporate a twist on the gods but I didn't love how often the main character broke the fourth wall and made comments to the reader.
Profile Image for Kristi.
140 reviews10 followers
July 29, 2014
What a fun and very exciting debut by Belle Ward.. I have always loved stories of the greek gods and this one is no different except, a 14 yr. old wrote it! What? I was drawing hearts around boys names, not imagining these very vivid and creative visions in my brain. I found myself laughing out loud, getting anxious and wanting more of this story. I can't wait for the adventures yet to come..My kids book, sure..Mine, absolutely! Great job Ms. Ward ;)
Profile Image for Kaylee Dolat.
Author 6 books12 followers
January 4, 2019
My main issue with this book is that it was far too short. I feel like we had barely gotten to experience the characters and plot before the end of the book popped up out of nowhere. I was expecting some more action or resolution to the plot before that.

Disappointed.

It could have been an amazing first book in the series if the author had allowed themselves to sink further into the story and embrace it.
77 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2016
Great debut! And she's only 14!!! Intriguing start! I love Greek and Roman mythology and stories about them. Miss Ward is creating a fun entertaining story for middle school aged children! Even I want to know what happens next! Great start to interesting characters and story line. Can't wait to read the next book!
Quick entertaining story.
Profile Image for Tobi.
102 reviews4 followers
November 19, 2014
This Was a Grt Opening Book For First Timer Belle Ward...Like her Mom She Is Definetly Making a NAME for herself Right out the Starting Gate..It Was Huge.Love Rainbow Haired Lead....No Spoilers Here...But Excellant Read By Far....Preteen and Early Teen Readers......Awesoommmmmmmeeeee Read.
Profile Image for Felicia.
6 reviews
August 29, 2016
I did get into the story, however the ending was too abrupt. It cut off right before something happened. I am not a huge fan of you have to buy the next book to find out what the excitement is that happened right before the book cut off.
August 30, 2016
Wishing for more

This was a great book, but I literally finished it in less than an hour. If there's six books, they need to be combined into maybe two or three, because it was very short. But super interesting, and I can't wait to get the second one.
Profile Image for Helen Simpson.
1,133 reviews37 followers
January 11, 2019
WOW THIS BOOK HAS ME RUNNING WANTING TO GRAB THE REST OF THE SERIES. I AM A HUGE FAN OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY AND COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE THIS LEAD. FAST PACED AND WELL WRITTEN HAD ME CAPTIVATED THROUGHOUT. THERE IS A SMALL CLIFFHANGER AT THE ENDING. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Profile Image for Kim.
26 reviews
August 10, 2014
Review done on Amazon! Great 1st book Belle, can't wait for the next one : )
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.