Publishers Weekly
08/31/2015
The demigod son of Poseidon offers his take on 12 figures from Greek myth in this irreverent and informative follow-up to Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (2014). Jokey contemporary references appear in quick succession (“We know you have a lot of options when choosing a directional wind, and we appreciate your business,” Zephyrus, god of the west wind, tells Psyche); Rocco takes a comparatively old-school approach with his moody portraits of Hercules, Atalanta, and others. Percy’s existing fans and newcomers will be equally delighted. It’s worth it just to watch Riordan/Percy squirm through the myths’ ickier details, such as Pasiphaë’s seduction of a bull: “This is a good time for all of us to put down the book again, run around in circles screaming, ‘Ewww!’ and wash our eyes out with Visine.” Ages 8–12. Agent: Nancy Gallt, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
PRAISE FOR PERCY JACKSON'S GREEK HEROES
"A colorful and quite enormous companion volume to Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (2014), this inviting book retells the stories of 12 notable figures from Greek mythology. . .Riordan casts a wide net in choosing his heroes, and the inclusion of four women in this traditionally male-dominated category broadens the book’s appeal as well as its scope. Written in the voice of Percy Jackson, these ancient stories sound fresh and vital. Rocco contributes many beautifully composed and dramatic paintings, from full-page action scenes to vertical side panels to small portraits at chapter headings."
—Booklist
PRAISE FOR PERCY JACKSON'S GREEK HEROES
"Percy Jackson, the narrator of Riordan’s novels, has returned to retell traditional Greek myths. Written from Percy’s first-person point of view, the book tells a dozen stories, including the original Perseus and the Gorgons, Eros and Psyche, and Atalanta. Complemented by Rocco’s elegant paintings, and printed on the thick smooth paper one expects in an art reference, this book is a unique combination: classical Greek myth reference and a very 21st-century retelling. . .it is a joy to read or read aloud, with enough humor to entice and entertain adults, reluctant readers, and mythology fans, as well as fans of Riordan’s earlier books. If you can, buy two: one for reference and one to circulate."—VOYA
School Library Journal
11/01/2015
Gr 4–8—Having dished out the goods on the gods in Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Disney-Hyperion, 2014), Percy now turns his attention to his fellow demigods. With typical snark, he describes the exploits and pitfalls of 12 of ancient Greece's best (or, at least, most notorious) heroes. Familiar characters including Daedalus and Theseus are joined by lesser-known names such as Cyrene and Bellerophon, and readers are sure to chuckle at chapter headings such as "Phaethon Fails Driver's Ed" and "Hercules Does Twelve Stupid Things." The chapters vary greatly in length, with Orpheus taking up just 17 pages, while Hercules's labors span nearly 100. Though the majority of the heroes featured are male, four fearless females also have a chance to shine. There are frequent pop culture references spanning everything from Frozen to Call of Duty, as well as occasional shout-outs to Percy's companions from his own adventures. This hefty tome is sure to be popular with Riordan's many fans, though readers looking for a more scholarly take on ancient lore may want to search elsewhere. Rocco's painterly illustrations lend an air of gravitas to Percy's banter, and while the tone of the book is light, the accompanying maps and index are suitably detailed. VERDICT Though it will no doubt eventually feel dated, this companion to Riordan's most popular works is a definite purchase for most libraries.—Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH
OCTOBER 2015 - AudioFile
Sixteen-plus hours is a lot of listening time! Yet, taking it in chunks, listeners will delight in this collection, not only appreciating the breadth of the mythology but also the joy that Jesse Bernstein takes in his narration. As Perseus “Percy” Jackson, Bernstein narrates with an insider’s point of view, as he is a son of Poseidon, and the hero and storyteller of Riordan’s Percy Jackson books. Bernstein uses varied pacing, stretched-out words and pauses, and punched-out words and phrases, all in service of portraying the wise, know-it-all teenager that his character is. While the core of the myth is accurate (Atalanta does toss out three apples during her race), its telling is rife with witty comments as well as modern language and phraseology. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2015-07-22
In a similarly hefty companion to Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (2014), the most voluble of Poseidon's many sons dishes on a dozen more ancient relatives and fellow demigods. Riordan averts his young yarn spinner's eyes from the sex but not the stupidity, violence, malice, or bad choices that drive so many of the old tales. He leavens full, refreshingly tart accounts of the ups and downs of such higher-profile heroes as Theseus, Orpheus, Hercules, and Jason with the lesser-known but often equally awesome exploits of such butt-kicking ladies as Atalanta, Otrera (the first Amazon), and lion-wrestling Cyrene. In thought-provoking contrast, Psyche comes off as no less heroic, even though her story is less about general slaughter than the tough "Iron Housewives quests" Aphrodite forces her to undertake to rescue her beloved Eros. Furthermore, along with snarky chapter heads ("Phaethon Fails Driver's Ed"), the contemporary labor includes references to Jay-Z, Apple Maps, god-to-god texting, and the like—not to mention the way the narrator makes fun of hard-to-pronounce names and points up such character flaws as ADHD (Theseus) and anger management issues (Hercules). The breezy treatment effectively blows off at least some of the dust obscuring the timeless themes in each hero's career. In Rocco's melodramatically murky illustrations, men and women alike display rippling thews and plenty of skin as they battle ravening monsters. Tales that "lay out your options for painful and interesting ways to die." And to live. (maps, index) (Mythology. 10-14)
