In response to one comment sent to me, I thought I’d add 3 reviews of novels with myths and legends themes for those of you writing about them.
Nice Shot, Cupid!
Kate McMullan
The latest installment of the “Myth-O-Mania” series as told by Lord Hades is about Cupid and his wooing of Psyche, a mere mortal. Cupid’s got braces on his teeth and zits on his face and a penchant for shooting his arrows at the wrong people so they’ll fall in love with inappropriate mates. Then he meets Psyche being held prisoner at Zeus’ summer temple by Cupid’s mother, who doesn’t like competition in the beauty department. But she turns out not to be a match for her determined son and the even more resolute Psyche. The beauty eventually gets promoted to goddess status so she and Cupid can marry. Cupid discovers he’s no longer a dorky teenager. An amusing way to introduce kids to Greek mythical characters; even boys will like this story. The writing is lively and the story also includes information about the lives of Hades, his wife Persephone, Zeus and other gods. Zephyr, the West Wind, has a prominent role in the story, which she carries out with much whining and kvetching. This book is a useful tool in getting young readers to relate to old myths.
BIBLIO: 2012, Stone Arch Books/Capstone Press, Ages 9 +, $23.99.
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Middle Reader
ISBN: 978-1-4342-1985-5
ISBN: 978-1-4342-3435-3
This second one is a bit of a stretch, except it does have to with demons and Lucifer. So I figure that makes it eligible. It’s not one of my favorites, but might be of interest.
The Space Between
Brenna Yovanoff
Before Eve Adam had a wife, Lilith, not made from his body. She was a demon and bore him a son named Ohbrin. But Adam rejected the boy, as Lilith had rejected him. Her second mate was the Fallen Angel, Lucifer, with whom she had the heroine of this story, the youngest of seven. Daphne has lived her entire life in Pandemonium, where her parents were sent for disobeying God. Daphne’s six older sisters all have some special power, but she doesn’t think she shares this bond with them. Her other siblings—fathered by various lesser demons—like sucking the souls out of dying humans. Daphne’s favorite sibling is Ohbrin, whom most call Obie, and she is devastated when he decides to stay on Earth to be with the woman he loves. Daphne comes across the scene of Obie saving a teen boy suicide victim and feels a connection she can’t explain. She jumps at the chance to go to Earth to find Obie after he disappears, not just to find her brother, but to find the boy also. After much blood and mayhem and with the boy’s help, Daphne does find her brother and Obie’s baby son. That’s where the disconnect comes. The baby, being half demon, can already talk and survive for months without sustenance. Or even need of a diaper change. Made it hard to suspend disbelief. Anyway, Obie and baby are saved, but the teen boy dies and Daphne feels she must be with him in Heaven to make him whole again. Your basic star-crossed lovers story with a there’s-good-in-even-supposedly-evil-people twist. Daphne does begin to understand herself and her family more by the end of the story, but you might not care.
BIBLIO: 2011, Razorbill/Penguin Young Readers Group/Penguin Group, Ages 14 +, $17.99.
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-59514-339-6
This last one is part of series and gives the reader a good view of Egyptology.
Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus
Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
Theodosia Throckmorton, daughter of Egyptologists, able to nose out ancient curses and counteract them, has gotten herself into another mess. Now she not only has the Arcane Order of Black Sun believing she’s the eleven year old reincarnation of the Egyptian god Isis, but the Serpents of Chaos are making attempts on her life. Plus she’s working for Lord Wigmere, head of the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers. She seems to be getting a fine education by helping at her parents’ museum, rather than going to school as her younger brother, Henry, does. Henry is home for the holidays and, though a thorn in Theo’s side, does manage to be helpful as they try to protect an emerald tablet which is the map to all the hidden ancient treasures of Egyptian gods. A suspicious so-called Egyptian magician, Awi Bubu, turns out to be a guardian of these treasures and works with Theo to return the Emerald Tablet to its rightful owners. With his help, Theo and her buddies are able to unmask the Serpents of Chaos and convince the nutty leader of the Black Sunners that she is not Isis reincarnate . It does, however, turn out that she was born inIsis’ temple and therefore has been given special talents. This is a lively read, with hopefully factual information about ancient Egypt. The other two books in the series are: “Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos” and “Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris.”
BIBLIO: 2010, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., 8 to 12, $16.00
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Middle Reader
ISBN: 978-0-547-22592-0
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