School Library Journal Starred Review (Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2015)

Gr 4-8 In this nuanced, multilayered view of the usually vilified bringer of war, O'Connor continues his exceptional graphic novel series about the Greek gods. Less a biographical take on the subject and more of a character study, this entry is seen through the lens of the events that take place in Homer's iconic battle-driven epic poem The Iliad . Just like the original source material, the complex relationships among the deities and the tension and drama that arise when the glory and fate of their own demigod sons are at stake, take center stage. Ares is presented in many ways as his father's son, as evidenced by his affair with Aphrodite, but he also tries to rebel against Zeus's practice of using humans for sport. O'Connor highlights that of all the gods, Ares is the only one who grieves the death of his mortal son, shedding light on his own strained relationship with his father. Humor and zingers combine with the author's adept handling of Greek mythology, history, and popular culture. The variety of panels lends a dynamic feel to the battle scenes and confrontations between the dueling sides. The mostly scarlet-tinged color scheme is in perfect tune with the raging, bloodthirsty god of war's modus operandi. The author's extensive notes amusingly explain connections to The Odyssey, The Aeneid , and the series' previous works. VERDICT This expertly executed graphic novel will have fans anxiously awaiting even more adventures of mythological proportions.— Shelley Diaz , School Library Journal

ALA Booklist (Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

O'Connor draws most of his material for this final volume of his popular series from The Iliad, an account of a long and bloody war perfect for showcasing Ares' anger. He takes readers right into the chaotic action, depicting a blood-drenched, muscle-bound, red-eyed war god in the midst of battle, set on appropriately rusty red backgrounds. Ares and the other Olympians are divided over whether the Greeks or Trojans should win the war, and O'Connor focuses mostly on the gods' and goddesses' bickering and interference. Meanwhile, scenes of Greeks and Trojans battling are clearly depicted in the panels, and an author's note links the illustrations to moments in Homer's epic for readers unfamiliar with the story. Greek myths are full of frothy drama and revenge, which sometimes gets lost in prose versions, but O'Connor's comic-book-style artwork, witty asides, and clearly drawn characters make for very entertaining reading, and it's informative, too, especially if paired with more staid accounts of the deities. Ares is the seventh volume in this planned 12-book series, and the first 6 are now available together as a boxed set.

Horn Book

This graphic novel, seventh in the series, is largely based on the Iliad and focuses on the titular Greek deity's (and fellow Olympians') role in the Trojan War; O'Connor occasionally provides thought-provoking character studies of mythological figures. The exciting, colorful comic-book-style art fits the story's superhuman action. An author's note and discussion questions are included in the back matter. Reading list. Bib.