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Goddess Girls #21
Pallas the Pal
Pallas, the daughter of Triton and messenger of the sea, enrolls at Mount Olympus Academy in this twenty-first Goddess Girls adventure!
Mortal girl Pallas can’t wait to go show off her swordplay skills at Mount Olympus Academy. As a member of the Cheer Blades, she is hoping to impress her childhood friend, Athena—until she learns Athena has a new group of BFFs in the Goddess Girls. Pallas hopes she can win Athena’s attention at the upcoming Greek Festival battle reenactment competition—and help Pallas prove she is just as good as any boy her age! But Athena is having her own jealousy issues, thanks to her new baby sister. Can these old BFFs work together to help each other out?
Mortal girl Pallas can’t wait to go show off her swordplay skills at Mount Olympus Academy. As a member of the Cheer Blades, she is hoping to impress her childhood friend, Athena—until she learns Athena has a new group of BFFs in the Goddess Girls. Pallas hopes she can win Athena’s attention at the upcoming Greek Festival battle reenactment competition—and help Pallas prove she is just as good as any boy her age! But Athena is having her own jealousy issues, thanks to her new baby sister. Can these old BFFs work together to help each other out?
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
About the author
Joan Holub
379 books1,239 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 17, 2016
You know, I was goingt to ditch the Goddess Girls series for good, but then I saw on the last page - Nyx the Mysterious, and now I have to get my hands on that book.
I hope it won't be as disappointing as this book.
Pallas and Athena were both annoying, and their problems were ones dealt with before, in previous books. It felt recycled somehow, and I wanted to see what I saw in the older books - stories based on greek mythology. The competition bored me, I didn't care for the random baby who popped out of a fountain and Pallas shouldn't have pushed away her new friend the way she did.
It was only until the last chapter did she realise that *gasp* she can be good friends with BOTH Athena AND Ee (whatever her name was) at the same time! She doesn't have to pick between them, thank god!
Somehow, it was an easy fast read. Usually when I find plot annoying, it takes me forever to read it. But aside from her clingyiness to Athena, Pallas was an alright character.
Athena however, wasn't what she once was. Athena was once my favourite goddess girl, and I still think her two first books are the best in the whole series (along with Medusa the Mean).
I don't think I will ever get to read the old GG version again, so I'm going to stop reading this series completely after the next one.
I hope it won't be as disappointing as this book.
Pallas and Athena were both annoying, and their problems were ones dealt with before, in previous books. It felt recycled somehow, and I wanted to see what I saw in the older books - stories based on greek mythology. The competition bored me, I didn't care for the random baby who popped out of a fountain and Pallas shouldn't have pushed away her new friend the way she did.
It was only until the last chapter did she realise that *gasp* she can be good friends with BOTH Athena AND Ee (whatever her name was) at the same time! She doesn't have to pick between them, thank god!
Somehow, it was an easy fast read. Usually when I find plot annoying, it takes me forever to read it. But aside from her clingyiness to Athena, Pallas was an alright character.
Athena however, wasn't what she once was. Athena was once my favourite goddess girl, and I still think her two first books are the best in the whole series (along with Medusa the Mean).
I don't think I will ever get to read the old GG version again, so I'm going to stop reading this series completely after the next one.
April 5, 2024
➳ 3 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this one was cute!! i am enjoying my continuation of this series and i loved seeing some of the old characters from the beginning of this series that I remember from my childhood <3
loved the themes of friendship in this one and i’m giving this 3 stars but i still highly recommend for younger fans of greek mythology!! 🩷✨
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
this one was cute!! i am enjoying my continuation of this series and i loved seeing some of the old characters from the beginning of this series that I remember from my childhood <3
loved the themes of friendship in this one and i’m giving this 3 stars but i still highly recommend for younger fans of greek mythology!! 🩷✨
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
December 4, 2018
This book was fun, plus swordplay! My favorite. But the friends misunderstanding felt a bit cliche.
May 13, 2017
This book was fun, plus swordplay! My favorite. But the friends misunderstanding felt a bit cliche. I know it's a real thing, but the authors could have done it better. Still, I loved it.
November 15, 2023
Loved that Pallas got so see Olympus!!
March 12, 2022
Rating: 3.2 stars. Meh. Average.
The concept of history in this book = none.
I removed stars because of that absolutely annoying detail in the beginning which I stressed about for nearly 80% of the book before it was resolved. I call it the "Trojan War paradox". If Achilles died in the Trojan War, why the hell is he in this book?! As a kid?! And why the heck is Agamemnon his best friend? Shame on you.
Once more another loose fanfic AU-esque retelling of HIGHLY sanitized Greek mythology. But I bumped my rating up a bit purely for Pallas because she's a good heroine and honestly, give her a break. That girl is an accomplished swords woman and she's only in middle school?! Not to mention that she is so proud of her best friend Athena even though Athena is basically the most popular goddess girl of the century?? Her best friend is a goddess, y'all and she is just so supportive of her, not even putting herself down or humbling herself next to her all-powerful bestie. We love powerful female friendships!
But I was so shocked to discover an Achilles in this book. Before you ask, no, he is not with Patroclus. Apparently, this new Achilles isn't the one who fought in the Trojan War and was "roommates" with his beloved best friend (and died in full glory, Rip Booktok will remember him forever).
But the authors just wanted to have their cake and eat it too. They put kid Achilles in this book with kid Agamemnon for some reason?! And gave him the SAME features: Achilles heel, getting wounded by an arrow (but avoiding death because this is a children's book), taking Briseiis back from his enemy (but Briseiis is a sword this time) and having a pal whose name starts with P (very clever. The authors gave him Pallas to train instead of Patroclus. Idk if they did that on purpose but that was smart).
So is he like a reincarnation of Achilles of something?! Putting all of these defining mythology traits on a kid character and then saying that oh, someone with your name died in the Trojan War before and you just so happen to have all of his traits...won't this mess the kid Achilles up?? I'd be so stressed if all the events from a previous war hero started happening to me. Not to mention sharing his name?
This is why you have to be very young or just not familiar with Greek mythology to enjoy this series. I tried to shut my brain off but I can't.
And the Trojan War happened in book 1, meaning that Achilles would be dead by book 24, right? But once more, we have established the authors just play fast and loose with the mythology.
Achilles is a brunette this time so...um, okay. Crisis averted?
I felt that the book tried too hard to try to include the myths and weave everything in that it devolves into cartoonish plotlines at times. It did shine through when focusing on Athena and Pallas's friendship though, especially the message about them not falling apart even when living far away.
The concept of history in this book = none.
I removed stars because of that absolutely annoying detail in the beginning which I stressed about for nearly 80% of the book before it was resolved. I call it the "Trojan War paradox". If Achilles died in the Trojan War, why the hell is he in this book?! As a kid?! And why the heck is Agamemnon his best friend? Shame on you.
Once more another loose fanfic AU-esque retelling of HIGHLY sanitized Greek mythology. But I bumped my rating up a bit purely for Pallas because she's a good heroine and honestly, give her a break. That girl is an accomplished swords woman and she's only in middle school?! Not to mention that she is so proud of her best friend Athena even though Athena is basically the most popular goddess girl of the century?? Her best friend is a goddess, y'all and she is just so supportive of her, not even putting herself down or humbling herself next to her all-powerful bestie. We love powerful female friendships!
But I was so shocked to discover an Achilles in this book. Before you ask, no, he is not with Patroclus. Apparently, this new Achilles isn't the one who fought in the Trojan War and was "roommates" with his beloved best friend (and died in full glory, Rip Booktok will remember him forever).
But the authors just wanted to have their cake and eat it too. They put kid Achilles in this book with kid Agamemnon for some reason?! And gave him the SAME features: Achilles heel, getting wounded by an arrow (but avoiding death because this is a children's book), taking Briseiis back from his enemy (but Briseiis is a sword this time) and having a pal whose name starts with P (very clever. The authors gave him Pallas to train instead of Patroclus. Idk if they did that on purpose but that was smart).
So is he like a reincarnation of Achilles of something?! Putting all of these defining mythology traits on a kid character and then saying that oh, someone with your name died in the Trojan War before and you just so happen to have all of his traits...won't this mess the kid Achilles up?? I'd be so stressed if all the events from a previous war hero started happening to me. Not to mention sharing his name?
This is why you have to be very young or just not familiar with Greek mythology to enjoy this series. I tried to shut my brain off but I can't.
And the Trojan War happened in book 1, meaning that Achilles would be dead by book 24, right? But once more, we have established the authors just play fast and loose with the mythology.
Achilles is a brunette this time so...um, okay. Crisis averted?
I felt that the book tried too hard to try to include the myths and weave everything in that it devolves into cartoonish plotlines at times. It did shine through when focusing on Athena and Pallas's friendship though, especially the message about them not falling apart even when living far away.
August 1, 2019
An enjoyable addition to the Goddess Girls series, I enjoyed the dual points of view of Athena and her former BFF. The arrival of baby Hebe makes for an interesting source of conflict/confusion, as well as giving a secondary moral to complement the first one on maintaining friendships. I found the minor characters of Achilles and Agememnon to be an interesting touch and the issue of Briseis (a sword in the book) is handled in a manner appropriate and understandable for young readers.
March 12, 2018
I loved this book! Truly amazing! I kinda wish Apollo and Agamemnon had fought over Cassandra. Woulda been awesome. Plus it would’ve been pretty cool if Pallas had kissed Achilles. But then again, what do I know? Nothing about their histories, certainly. Either of them could’ve been married to anyone! And I would never know. Definitely an amazing book! Go Goddess Girls!
January 20, 2019
Band 21 war ein bisschen langweilig und zäh für mich persönlich. Ich mochte Pallas nicht wirklich und fand das sie ihre Freundin Eurynome nicht zu schätzen wusste. Sie ist die ganze Zeit Athena hinterher gelaufen, die keinen müden Gedanken an sie in den letzten 20 Büchern verschwendet hat.
Ich konnte mich einfach nicht in die Handlung hinein versetzen. Ich war froh als es vorbei war und hoffe das Band 22 um einiges besser wird. Es könnte auch mal wieder ein Buch über Persephone raus kommen, ich liebe sie und Hades!!
Ich konnte mich einfach nicht in die Handlung hinein versetzen. Ich war froh als es vorbei war und hoffe das Band 22 um einiges besser wird. Es könnte auch mal wieder ein Buch über Persephone raus kommen, ich liebe sie und Hades!!
January 20, 2018
Once again; so cute!
February 15, 2018
It shows the true friendship of 2 friends who were separated.
Read
July 24, 2020This series can be pretty corny but I can't not read them. Anyway, I appreciate the messages it imparts to like, kids though I wished it was less heteronormative.
January 13, 2021
It gets a bit hard to understand, but other than that it is pretty good! I just wish they could have explained things more, like Hebe's birth and the Fountain of Youth.
May 15, 2024
Cute as always.
May 26, 2020
What happens when your BFF moves away? Are you still BFFs let alone friends? Can you have other BFFs?
These are Pallas' problems.
Mix this with the facts that her BFF is a goddessgirl, the adults are acting like kids, there is a baby that needs taking care of, and she is trying to win a swordfighting competition to replace her father's broken sword.
Pallas is a likeable character (and the story works) because she is hardworking, cares for her family and friends, is smart and clever, gets the right amount of jealousy and hurt feelings, and is more than a girl "crushing" after guys.
For whom? 7+
Issues addressed?
Old and new friendships, kindness, importance of family, jealousy, hard work to win, respecting and helping others
These are Pallas' problems.
Mix this with the facts that her BFF is a goddessgirl, the adults are acting like kids, there is a baby that needs taking care of, and she is trying to win a swordfighting competition to replace her father's broken sword.
Pallas is a likeable character (and the story works) because she is hardworking, cares for her family and friends, is smart and clever, gets the right amount of jealousy and hurt feelings, and is more than a girl "crushing" after guys.
For whom? 7+
Issues addressed?
Old and new friendships, kindness, importance of family, jealousy, hard work to win, respecting and helping others
February 5, 2017
Pallas of Triton is very excited! She and the other mortal girls from the Cheer Blades have been invited to participate in the sword play tournament at the Immortal Marketplace. The Immortal Marketplace is halfway between Earth where she lives and Mount Olympus where the Goddess Girls, including her BBF Athena lives. Pallas has missed her friend Athena who was called by her Father Zeus to attend Mount Olympus Academy since she really is a goddess. Perhaps their friendship can be renewed. Athena is less than happy because she now has a baby sister, Hebe, who is getting all the attention. Also it seems that Zeus and Hera are under a spell and are not acting normally. Pallas and Athena are able to join forces to figure out how to help Zeus and Hera and also play against each other to see who wins the jeweled sword, the grand prize. This 21st title in the Goddess Girls series teaches young readers the value of old friends and new friends in a delightful and fast paced story.
January 24, 2017
Another good one in the series. This one focuses on Pallas who used to be BFFs with Athena (before Athena was taken off to MOA and found out she was a Goddess and daughter of Zeus!) The charm in this episode is in the focus on swordplay and the strain of balancing new and old friendships and a touch of sibling rivalry. The format is a neat back and forth between Pallas' point of view and Athena. Nicely done and we get to see a bit of Achilles and Agamemnon as well but this book doesn't really focus on on boy crushes so it was a nice friendship-focused story.
December 21, 2016
I was not familiar with the story of Pallas, so I did some research after reading this book. There was many mentions of men and women named Pallas in Greek mythology. After reading the book, I assume that this Pallas is based on the daughter of Triton. Like many of the Goddess Girls books, the author veers away from the traditional myth and creates a happier ending.
December 21, 2021
Pallas, a mortal, and Athena, a goddess, try to find a way to rekindle their friendship in this Goddess Girls adventure. If I’m being honest, I was on team Pallas the whole time, as Athena’s “side” of the story made her seem like a cry baby while Pallas had actual issues to worry about. But, as always, it all works out in the end!
August 4, 2025
Cute kids book
April 24, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This review is without bias and is of my daughter's own opinion.
In my daughter's words:
In this book, it talks about Athena and her old friend Pallas. The two friends used to practice sword fighting together. Then Athena had to go to Mt. Olympus because Zeus was her dad and Zeus insisted on her coming to MOA. Pallas and Athena wrote letters, and Pallas joined the Cheer Blades Team. During one of her meets, she breaks her dad's sword. Then Pallas and her new friend go to the sword shop in the Immortal Marketplace. On a wall, there is a sword competition advertisement poster, but they didn't have enough money to enter. Then Ares and his friend say "we will give you the money if you give us the grand prize sword if you win." So then they go to the sword competition, and Pallas sees Athena...and now I don't want to spoil it.
I liked how they shared Athena's and Pallas' emotions for things. I thought it was fun to read. It was hard to put down because I wanted to keep reading it. I thought it was a fun plot, and I liked all the different things that were at the sword competition. My favorite character was baby Hebe because she's giggly, and I think she's (probably) cute. I liked it!
In my daughter's words:
In this book, it talks about Athena and her old friend Pallas. The two friends used to practice sword fighting together. Then Athena had to go to Mt. Olympus because Zeus was her dad and Zeus insisted on her coming to MOA. Pallas and Athena wrote letters, and Pallas joined the Cheer Blades Team. During one of her meets, she breaks her dad's sword. Then Pallas and her new friend go to the sword shop in the Immortal Marketplace. On a wall, there is a sword competition advertisement poster, but they didn't have enough money to enter. Then Ares and his friend say "we will give you the money if you give us the grand prize sword if you win." So then they go to the sword competition, and Pallas sees Athena...and now I don't want to spoil it.
I liked how they shared Athena's and Pallas' emotions for things. I thought it was fun to read. It was hard to put down because I wanted to keep reading it. I thought it was a fun plot, and I liked all the different things that were at the sword competition. My favorite character was baby Hebe because she's giggly, and I think she's (probably) cute. I liked it!
May 30, 2018
This book was fun. The characters were definitely immature teens, but it was still really interesting to see how they turned Greek heroes and gods into more ordinary people that have feelings and aren't super messed up. Although it was kind of weird to read about gods and goddesses crushing I mortals and each other when you take into consideration that they're all related to each other. But other than that it was great.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews