Books and Reading

Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World: Goddess Spotlight

Note: We received a copy of Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World for free from Workman Publishing in exchange for participating in their blog tour. We were under no obligation to give a positive review, no money was exchanged, and all opinions are our own.

You may think that gods and heroes are all positive forces that were worshipped by many, but some of them definitely had a dark streak. Some of them were so over-confident that they let their power and abilities get the best of them, others were just as noble and honorable as you’d expect. That’s why Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World by Korwin Briggs is such a fascinating read – it brings over 70 stories to life in a way that’s easy to understand and super interesting. Fuel your curiosity with fun illustrations, silly jokes, and a truly unique glimpse into these powerful gods, heroes, and other mythological creatures.


SYNOPSIS:

Meet the Original Superheroes.

Before there was Batman, Wonder Woman, or Black Panther…there was Indra, Hindu king of gods, who battled a fearsome snake to save the world from drought. Athena, the powerful Greek goddess of wisdom who could decide the fate of battles before they even began. Okuninushi, the Japanese hero who defeated eighty brothers to become king and then traded it all for a chance at immortality.

Featuring more than 70 characters from 23 cultures around the world, this A-to-Z encyclopedia of mythology is a who’s who of powerful gods and goddesses, warriors and kings, enchanted creatures and earthshaking giants whose stories have been passed down since the beginning of time—and are now given fresh life for a new generation of young readers.

Plus, You’ll Learn All About:

Dragons: The Hydra, St. George’s Dragon, and the Australian Rainbow Snake

Giants: Grendel, Balor of the Evuil Eye, Polyphemus, and the Purusha with the thousand heads

Monsters: Manticore, Sphinx, Minotaur, Thunderbird, and Echidne, mother of the Nemean lion that nearly killed Heracles

Underworlds: Travel to Hades, Valhalla, and the Elysian Fields

You’ll likely recognize quite a few of the names in this book, like Thor and Loki if you’re Avengers obsessed or Maui if you’re a fan of Moana. You may have even learned about Heracles, Zeus, or Poseidon in school. But there are TONS of lesser-known myths and legends whose stories aren’t shared as often.

In honor of the release of Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World, we teamed up with Workman Publishing to give you a glimpse into some of the girl power you’ll find between the pages of this book. We’re spotlighting four goddesses, Nu Gua, The Morrígna, and Ereshkigal and Innana. Get to know more about them below!

Goddess Spotlight:


Nu Gua – The Snake-Bodied Goddess of Renewal

Tradition: Chinese
Home: The Heavenly Realm
Also Known As: Nü Kua, Nuwa

Facts:
Nu Gua was originally known as the goddess of creation and renewal who was worshipped for centuries.
When Nu Gua came down from the heavens to live on Earth, it was still a very empty place, and she was very lonely. She sculpted mud into a human figure and brought it to life. Eventually, she created enough people to populate the Earth.
Nu Gua is said to have helped save the world after brothers fire god Zhu Rong and water god Gong Gong caused mass destruction.


The Morrígna – The Sisters of War

Tradition: Celtic
Home: The Battlefield

Facts:
The Morrígna are a trio of powerful goddesses called the Morrigan, the Badb, and Nemain. They are known for using dark magic to influence war and create chaos, terror, and death.
The Morrigan doesn’t have any weapons, she uses magic. When she does fight, she always does so in the form of an animal.
The Badb is known for being an omen of death, so if you spot her, you’re doomed!
According to Gods and Heroes, “Scholars don’t know much about the third sister, Nemain. Her name means “panic,” and by some accounts, she warps soldiers’ minds so much that they wind up killing their friends and allies.”


Ereshkigal (Queen of the Dead):

Tradition: Sumerian
Home: Irkalla
Also Known As: Allatu (Akkadian)

Facts:
Ereshkigal is known for being strong but fair and a hard worker. Her job is to make sure all the souls in Irkalla, the ancient Mesopotamian underworld, stay confined to the underworld and don’t go back up to haunt the living.
She firmly believes that you should always treat the dead with respect. Disobey this, and you might find that she’ll let one out for revenge.
Ereshkigal’s lover is the war god Nergal, and they rule the underworld together. There are a few stories of how they ended up together, but no spoilers – you’ll have to pick up a copy of Gods and Heroes in order to read them!
Ereshkigal is the sister of Inanna, the next goddess on the list!


Innana (Lady of Heaven):

Tradition: Mesopotamian
Home: The Heavens
Also Known As: Innana: Ishtar (Akkadian)

Innana is technically the love goddess, but don’t be fooled by her title – she isn’t about sweetness and romance. She’ll all about passion, power, seduction, and slaughter – the darker qualities love can take on.
She is one of the oldest goddesses on record, as well as one of the most important deities in ancient Mesopotamia. She is the sister of Ereshkigal.
“As for her personality, legends vary.”, The book states, “Some describe her as a coy young girl, others as a determined warrior, and still others as a conniving temptress, manipulating others to get what she wants. But don’t mistake Inanna for evil. Her passion and fury can cause all sorts of problems, but sometimes it’s just what’s needed. As they say, all’s fair in love and war.”

If you loved getting to know these goddesses, you can get to know even more by picking up the book! It’s a really fun read, and it makes for an excellent reference for school projects, you really can’t go wrong! Want to pick up a copy of Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World? It’s out today, and you can pick it up in bookstores or by heading over to the Workman Publishing website!

For even more amazing reads releasing this month, click here!

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