The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel: Deluxe Edition by Gareth Hinds
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: May 12th, 2026
Format Read: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256 pages
Source: Publisher
From Goodreads: Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning—and a little help from Mount Olympus—to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years—though never quite like this.
I will be the first to admit that I don't have much experience with Greek mythology, though I've always enjoyed it. My previous sources have been limited to reading Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief series and numerous times of rewatching The Clash of the Titans. This graphic novel made Odysseus's struggles and his determination to return home fascinating to follow. A recurring theme I noticed was hospitality, the way hosts welcomed guests, celebrated with them, and how they tried to avoid offending the immortals.
The watercolor illustrations of chariots, mountain ranges, and clothing brought this ancient world to life. I loved the variety of layouts, from full pages with five panels to spreads divided into three sections, each capturing rich details that held my attention. Even though I never read The Odyssey in school, I feel I learned a great deal from this graphic novel, at the very least, it served as an excellent introduction. I’d recommend it for upper-middle grade readers, as it includes scenes of a cyclops eating people, some blood and gore, like an eye being stabbed, deaths in battle, and a bit of nudity.
**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover review copy in exchange for an honest review.**
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