Description
Book SynopsisDanni is twelve years old and struggling to get over the loss of her dog, Pirate, when a new teacher and an old school book reveal to her the world of Greek mythology. Danni stumbles across an illustration that looks familiar enough for her to leave the house in the dead of night and seek out what she thinks could be the gate to Hades, the Greek Underworld, and perhaps a way to bring her dog back to the land of the living.
What she didn’t expect was her younger brother, Sammy, to tag along or that once in the Underworld she’d need a guide… and two 21st century kids on a quest to save their dead dog was the last thing Odysseus was expecting. Adventuring in the Underworld since the fall of Troy he’s the last of his kind - a true Hero - but with enemies leaping on them at every turn and monsters and gods to overcome this may be his toughest odyssey yet!
Trade ReviewKIRKUS -- Every hero needs a quest. Twelve-year-old Danni is devastated by the death of her dog, Pirate. When a mysterious substitute teacher introduces Danni to the world of Greek mythology, she’s surprised by how much the stories help to take her mind off her grief—especially when a familiar illustration leads her to suspect that the tales might be more than mere myth. Like a 21st-century Orpheus, Danni ventures to the Underworld in hopes of getting her best friend back but finds herself deeper in trouble than she bargained for when her younger brother, Sammy, follows her down. Aided by Danni’s teacher’s book and a wily hero of old, will Danni and Sammy best the guardians of Hades and fetch what they seek? Or will the cost of tempting fate prove too high to bear? This graphic novel acts as a gateway into Greek myth for readers too young for the intensity of Percy Jackson and the like and incorporates some lesser-explored aspects of the mythos into a quest that will engage anyone who’s ever lost a friend. The true standout, however, is the energetic, expressive artwork, which masterfully depicts the shifting moods and landscapes without ever becoming overwhelming. Hints at divine meddling and a gut-wrenching cliffhanger tantalizingly open the door to a sequel. Danni and Sammy are light-skinned; Hades presents Black. A solid series opener for budding mythology fans.
