Even after learning to control the power of the flame inside her, Emily is still afraid of her powers. This is why she does not participate in the football match: we are told that “Emily wanted very much to play, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t because she couldn’t trust herself” (Kindle locations 130–131). Adding to her uncertainty, is Emily’s battle with teenage crush and jealousy. She is jealous of the Sphinx who is beautiful and trying to befriend Joel. Emily feels even more insecure when the Sphinx joins them to Earth. This is a coming-of-age story and jealousy and first love are all part of growing up. Emily will need to learn how to control her own emotions like she did with her fire power, yet it is more difficult to control love and jealousy. Interestingly, the Sphinx (which is described as similar to the Oedipus vase) is referred to as a gorgeous and quite seductive being, the mature woman, in contrast with the naïve Emily (although Emily is acting her age, which is only 13).
Furthermore, this installment reminds the reader of the previous one, in which handsome Cupid joined the team, and while Emily was thrilled Paelen was angry and jealousy. Now it is Emily’s turn to feel similar emotions. Her emotions are the trigger which set on her new powers; thus it is a very graphic visualization of Emily’s inner-struggle and growing up.
Emily’s father believes Earth is too dangerous for the Olympians, because even though they were treated as Gods in the past, nowadays Centaurs or Cyclops would not be warmly welcomed in the technological world. While it could simply be a manner of humans’ fear of strange creatures, there could also be a message here about memory and respect. Once the old myths were revered and known. Today, we have forgotten the myths and are frightened from the mysterious being that populated them. In the new modern and advanced world the mystery of the past was forgotten and became a cause for fear.
Emily and her friends are facing a dilemma; they need to find out what CRU is doing; but also to protect Earth. Pluto, who heard about the alleged cloning, is furious: “The development of such creatures from our blood must not be tolerated. If this is true and they have created New Olympians, we will have no recourse but to destroy Earth.” (loc. 362–364). This of course leads to an interesting clash between modern technology and the ancient mythical world (and nature). Previous reviews have already mentioned how the author emphasizes the importance of respecting nature and animals. Cloning is men’s most abrupt manipulation of the natural order. Now, the mythical world of Olympus (which is proven to be real in this series) is ready to charge Earth for these violations. It is almost a battle between myth and reality, when the modern world forgot about the old myths. Diana reaffirms this might happen: “Jupiter is capable of anything if it means protecting Olympus and the order of nature.” (loc. 368–369).
Emily is now facing a new, perhaps more difficult challenge: “Until now, everything Emily had done was to protect and defend Olympus … But now… she realized that she, the Flame of Olympus, may be forced to protect Earth from the Olympians.” (loc. 397–398).
Another reference to this inversion between myth and the real world occurs when Emily and her friends visit Earl and Agent T (who were involved in the action in the previous book). While agent T wonders if the myths are true and Olympus is real, the Sphinx asserts that it was the Olympians who studied men and not the other way around: “‘You were studying us?’ Agent T asked incredulously. ‘Of course,’ Alexis replied. ‘You were a savage people, always going to war. We found you fascinating. But you were contaminating us with your violent ways, so Jupiter stopped all visits to your world.’” (loc. 760–763).
While Emily resents Alexis at first, the Sphinx acts as a mother-figure when she learns Emily is struggling to control her new powers, “‘Emily, people are going to come and go into your life that you may not like and who may annoy or upset you. You must learn to tolerate them. It appears that extreme emotions trigger your powers.’” (loc. 1120–1121). This is of course a sound advice to every teenage reader, not just those blessed with super-powers. Emily’s powers are linked, after all, to her growing up, perhaps even puberty. In the end, Emily discovers she is not human anymore and she needs to get accustomed to this strange new situation and overcome it, like she did with all the other challenges she faced.
