The Olympus Trinity
Written by Brian Coggins, Jr
Update, 25 March 2022: The release date was incorrectly listed as 25 April, and this has been updated to the correct date of 11 April. The author has also confirmed the hardcover and paperback length of the book, so I have updated the review to include this information.
If you subscribe to my Substack, you will know that I am a fan of ancient Greece (if you haven’t subscribed, just follow that link, click the ‘subscribe’ button, and all will be forgiven). I have a love of their mythology and the Greek Pantheon, so it was an absolute pleasure to be afforded the opportunity to review The Olympus Trinity by Brian Coggins, Jr.
The Olympus Trinity tells the epic story of a trinity of Greek gods: Zeus, the king of the gods; Hades, god of the Underworld; and Poseidon, king of the sea, where they must contend with their father, the Titan, Kronos. While this story pays heed to these mythological figures, with these gods feeling just like their mythological counterparts, The Olympus Trinity does not opt to simply retell these stories. Coggins adds his unique take to the mythology, adding science fiction elements to the mythology, crafting a science fantasy tale. Further, this Pantheon doesn’t exist in isolation, with Egyptian mythology also being used (Deities, as a counterpart to the Gods in here).
At an estimated 184 pages on Kindle, the novel is a brisk read (following my posting of the review, the author has informed me that the paperback and hardcover are 337 pages; the quickness of the read is a testament to how well it flows). The length feels appropriate for the story Coggins is telling, and despite its length, it doesn’t feel underwritten. The author uses the space economically, resulting in an enjoyable read that can be finished in a couple of leisurely sittings.
Coggins opens the story with a bang, billions of years before the events of the rest of the story. This kicks things off with a fast pace, balancing feeding the readers all the necessary background information while keeping the plot moving forward. Things do slow down in the second act as we catch up with the characters after the passage of time. The act is a little bit slower than I would have liked, however, the story never wears thin. After it has spent its time moving the plot forward and moving everybody into place for the third act, it picks up the pace once more, building to a finale that pays off the rest of the book.
The plot throughout The Olympus Trinity is strong, however the true highlight for me isn’t the plot as much as it is the characters and their interactions. This is a story that is about family. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades are brothers, and their bond forms the spine that all else in this book is born from. However, this is a story that also looks at their parents, children and extended family, and how they all connect with each other.
The characterisation within works well. The characters all feel appropriately ‘godly,’ and Coggins has managed to pull this off without them coming off as too aloof. These characters, despite their station and what they represent, all feel human. As the story progresses, you feel for all three of them, as well as most of the other characters throughout the book.
The Olympus Trinity’s prose largely works well, though, at times, it feels a little dry, recounting events rather than making the reader feel like they are a part of the action. While during these instances, while it felt like the writing lacked character, for the most part, this was enjoyable. For my minor issues with the prose, though, I really need to highlight how well this book is edited. Every sentence was clean and clear, which came together to form a smooth experience. The end result is a book that is easy to read, and flows incredibly well throughout.
I should also note that The Olympus Trinity is not a done-in-one story, and serves as part of an overarching series, The Worlds of Complexity. The book even finishes by highlighting that this story is to be continued. With that said, it still stands on its own, and by reading this book, you will be getting a full story that feels complete. The promise of more to come is truly a bonus.
Despite some small misgivings about the pacing and the prose, I thoroughly recommend The Olympus Trinity. It puts a unique spin on Greek mythology, and if you are a fan, you will appreciate how deeply it dives into this world. But if you’re not particularly enamoured with the mythology, but enjoy science fantasy tales and operatic adventure, there will be a lot for you to enjoy.
Favourite Passage
Poseidon preoccupied his mind and gawked at Agora, which was brightly lit up by a range of turquoise, cerulean, lavender, blush, and lemon colors. The fashionable environment had enclosed courtyards sprung throughout, and as Poseidon took the rock and sat on a bench nearby, he watched a group of Essalies ride by on top of some sea dragons. The diminutive furry beings were an adorable species that had a tendency to lick people and objects. Which explained why a group of them were licking the top of the sea dragons’ heads, telepathically telling the creatures where to go.
The Olympus Trinity, Chapter 16
The Olympus Trinity was provided to the author for the purpose of an honest review.
The Olympus Trinity will be available in paperback, hardcover and on Kindle, exclusive to Amazon from 11 April, 2022.
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The Olympus Trinity
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