(2) 4-6 A boy, born eleventh in line to the crown, finds himself to be first after a series of mysterious and unlikely accidents--and then he becomes king. Alba, an oracle's apprentice, is stricken by the way her harsh predictions affect that gormless boy king. And Rae, a shepherd couple's foundling daughter, grows up happily in the high wilds of the mountains, wondering why she feels a strong connection to a nearby wolf. Focusing on these three characters, Andrews's narrator weaves a fable-like story of betrayal and love, revenge and destiny, in sure, poetic prose. "Mountain-found," "wind-cold," "empty-bellied," a hand as "soft as plum blossoms"--every word draws us into a tactile, living world, one in which insects, worms, grubs, and beetles are as vital as a huge wolf, a royal advisor, and even the act of writing. With a magical Romulus-and-Remus theme and some fairy-tale features, this leisurely tale is richly atmospheric and nicely surprising. Chapter-opening framed decorations (akin to medieval illuminations) by Yuta Onoda make the book an attractive object in itself and suit Andrews's writing perfectly--­delicate and earthy at once, both realistic and magical.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(4) 4-6 Roman slave turned rebellious magician Nic (Mark of the Thief; Rise of the Wolf) faces Brutus, an earthly agent of the goddess Diana, for control of Nic's magic amulets and the empire itself. Saving one may mean sacrificing the other. Although the well-evoked ancient Rome setting is a positive, the writing sometimes descends into gimmicky action-movie tropes in this trilogy finale.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(3) 4-6 Former slave Nic is caught between his grandfather and the Praetors, both of whom want him to find a magical amulet that would destroy the city. Nic tries to outwit them by proposing a chariot race, but his plans put people he loves in danger. Nielsen keeps the stakes high and the plot moving in this historical fantasy set in ancient Rome.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) 4-6 Graphic Library: Ancient Myths series. Illustrated by Estudio Haus. Three ancient myths are retold with energetic American comic book–style art that fits the stories' superhuman action. However, Haus's mix of panels with (and often atop) full-page illustrations hinders the books' visual flow. A limited page count makes Trojan War feel rushed, whereas Hercules and Perseus fit somewhat better within the constraints. "Ancient Fact" boxes supplement the narratives. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Graphic Library: Ancient Myths titles: The Trojan War, The 12 Labors of Hercules, and The Adventures of Perseus.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Heroes of Olympus series. The young demigods bring the series to a close in this rousing wrap-up. Quests to reconcile the warring Greek and Roman camps and to fight the giants preparing the return of the angry earth goddess Gaea conclude in a dramatic finale. The combination of wisecracking modern teens and authentic mythological characters and stories is as successful as ever. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Mythic Misadventures series. On the final leg of her quest to return the lost evils into their box, Pandora and her companions must make their way through Hades in search of Fear. As in the previous installments, this volume keeps the mood light and entertaining, though the silliness and slapstick humor tends to overwhelm the narrative at times.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Ancient myth and the modern world are brought together when thirteen-year-old Emily (The Flame of Olympus) attempts to save the home of the gods, under attack by vicious new enemies. Continuing themes of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice flesh out the plot while the action propels this second series installment forward. Fans of Rick Riordan may enjoy this fantasy outing.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Heroes of Olympus series. In this fourth in Riordan's series pitting Roman and Greek demigods against an awakening goddess Gaea, Percy and Annabeth trek through Tartarus to escape through the Doors of Death, while their friends fight their way to the Doors' mortal side to rescue them. The wisecracking teens reveal emotional depths while overcoming monsters and personal obstacles in this high velocity continuation of the gripping franchise. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Mythic Misadventures series. With her ancient companions, Pandy (Pandora) continues her quest to return the lost evils to her box, this time searching for Greed in Rome. The contemporary teen idioms persist in this installment, and the plot meanders a bit to focus on the teens' personal problems. The characterizations of Greco-Roman gods are slapstick, which fans of the humorous series will expect--and enjoy. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 When Pegasus and various Roman gods and their seemingly unstoppable enemies find themselves transported to present-day New York City, it's up to two young teens to help the gods save their respective worlds. Themes of loyalty, friendship, and self-sacrifice are explored in this gripping page-turner, the first in an expected trilogy.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Heroes of Olympus series. With Gaea awakening and pitting the Greek demigods against their Roman counterparts, Percy Jackson, Jason, and their companions travel to Rome so Annabeth can search for her mother Athena's statue, stolen by the Romans in antiquity. Its return might heal the rift between the camps. Riordan's likable, strong, distinct characters drive the narrative in this rousing continuation of the saga.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Gareth Hinds. From Achilles' heel to victory, Lunge-Larsen explores how words have been derived from myths. Each entry begins with a definition plus a quote that incorporates it. Next comes the relevant myth, along with graphic novel–style art, its pencil and watercolor renditions enlivening the straightforward text with eloquent gestures and expressions. The classic tales and lively pictures make an effective lure to etymology's dramatic possibilities. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) 4-6 Myth-O-Mania series. Using Hades as an observer and holder of the narrative thread, McMullan has rewritten famous Greek myths in a modern style. Plentiful humorous dialogue, including jokes, puns, and pop-culture references, ups the appeal. The author does take artistic license with the source material, but the core of the myths remains. Review covers these Myth-O-Mania titles: Get to Work, Hercules! and Nice Shot, Cupid!

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) 4-6 Heroes of Olympus series. In this action-packed Lost Hero sequel, Percy Jackson arrives at Camp Jupiter, the camp for half-blood children of the Roman gods, unable to remember his past and pursued by two gorgons who won't stay dead when he kills them. As always, Riordan gives his heroes the last word, supplying them with sardonic quips in the face of unassailable odds.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These volumes include background about the title mythological creatures, including appearances in folklore, fine arts, literature, film, and video games. Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts and paintings to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Genies and The Furies.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA Illustrated by Tom Franco. Inspired by his namesake's Metamorphoses, high school junior Ovid records his struggles with overprotective parents, a drug-addicted runaway sister, identity issues, and his classmates' predicaments, creating his own modern-day mythology. Expressed through prose, poetry, and drawings, Ovid's labyrinth of thoughts and feelings has an edgy, authentic emotional resonance.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) YA Although Lester has sexed up the title by focusing on the more lubricious of the pair, what he presents is a fairly straightforward retelling of "Cupid and Psyche." What distinguishes this version is the garrulous, worldly-wise narrator. Well-attuned to the current zeitgeist on love, Lester creates a practical navigational chart for those newly embarking on romance's stormy seas.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2007

(3) 4-6 This retelling of Ovid's Metamorphoses depicts musician Orpheus's doomed attempt to bring back his bride, Eurydice, from the underworld. Cadnum's lyrical language reflects the story's romance, tragedy, and ultimate hope, as Orpheus hears his lost beloved's voice every time he plays his lyre. Sisyphus and other figures from mythology make cameo appearances.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. This book summarizes the myths associated with ten constellations, from Cassiopeia to Argo. Each double-page spread illustrates its constellation, with figures surrounding the foil silver stars embedded in a night sky. Additional information concludes the text, and endpapers map the northern and southern skies. The book succeeds artistically but is too slight to be an astronomy guide.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark. These fifteen myths move from Aeneas, Rome's founding by Romulus and Remus, and the "theft" of the Sabine women to the legendary role of Juno's geese during the sack of Rome. The watercolor and pencil art is elegantly composed yet as cheerfully informal as the text. McCaughrean offers notes setting the myths in their historical context. An entertaining new take on the old myths.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001