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The Hero Perseus: Mad Myth Mystery Series | 
| Authors: Robyn Ditocco, Tony Ditocco
Publisher: Brainstorm Publications, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $5.05
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Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 314019
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 225
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 0972342907
EAN: 9780972342902
ASIN: 0972342907
Publication Date: September 19, 2002
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: EX-LIBRARY; used item may have library binding and show stamps, stickers or other marks. Items not meeting quality expectations may be returned for refund. Buy with confidence - your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics!
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Product Description
PJ Allen, a typical 21st century teenager with a non-typical lineage, must travel back in time and re-create the phenomenal quest of his ancestor, the Greek hero Perseus, to prevent worldwide catastrophe. However, PJ's toughest battle may be the one raging on the homefront between two fiery blondes who occupy far too many of his thoughts.2003 Independent Publisher Book Awards Finalist -Juvenile/YA Fiction Renaissance Learning Accelerated Reader novel (mid-level)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 The Hero Perseus: Mad Myth Mystery Series July 15, 2007
Dr. Tami Brady (Calgary, Canada)
Percy John Allen (PJ), a seventeen year old high school student, has just moved to Athenia with his mother Dana. PJ and Dana had left New Jersey to build a new life for themselves after the tragic death of PJ's firefighter father, Zack. Though completely homesick, PJ is attempting to make the best of the situation. He even starts making some new friends.
Just as PJ's life is starting to look a little brighter, something strange happens. A man calling himself Hermes (messenger of the Gods) suddenly appears in PJ's dreams. Hermes tells PJ that the boy is actually the descendent of Perseus, a heroic character in Greek mythology. Moreover, Hermes demands that PJ travel back in time to slay Medusa, a gorgon so deadly that one glimpse of her would turn PJ into stone. How is PJ suppose to juggle traveling back in time to slay some gorgon while hanging out with his friends, studying for tests, playing football, and figuring out a way to impress Jana Langley?
The Hero Perseus: A Mad Myth Mystery is a new twist on an old story that will be enjoyed by all aged. This story will be equally enjoyed by those who have no knowledge of Greek myths and those who know these stories by heart. As with the original Greek myths of Perseus, there is a lot of action and adventure. However, this updated version adds a great deal of humour into the mix. Moreover, the characters are shown as just average people caught up in extraordinary situations. In this way, readers of this book will not only gain understanding of Greek mythology but also come to the realization that ordinary people can be heroes too.
 Reviewed by Amy Ryder January 26, 2007
Front Street Reviews www.frontstreetreviews.com
When his parents divorce, PJ and his mom move to the tiny country town of Athenia. PJ finds an old art set in his room, and he draws a roly-poly old man who comes to life as Hermes. He convinces PJ (actually Percy, or Perseus) to help him behead Medusa and save civilization from a drought. PJ becomes much too close to people in his past and present who are actually characters from Greek myth as he accompanies Hermes on wild adventures based on the mythical Greek stories.
The fast-paced action and element of mystery in these books would appeal to the modern adventure fantasy reader. They do teach as well as entertain, since they are based in mythology. The main character is a fantastic athlete, and each book also contains great sports action sequences.
The myths are woven naturally into the story, but at times they were hard to follow, with many characters and situations thrown at the reader simultaneously. For the young adult unfamiliar with Greek myth, this series would be overwhelming at first. The second book in the series has a smoother flow between the myth and the story. Some of the characters are cliche, like the tomboy neighbor with a secret crush on PJ, the "big man on campus" who is jealous of PJ's new popularity, and the crazy roommate who eats cold pizza and calls everyone "dude." Overall, these are satisfying reads that will appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced fantasy and action stories.
Non-stop action for young adult readers (and others) November 25, 2006
C. MCCALLISTER (The waters of the Great Lakes)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Story: Sixteen-year-old PJ Allen had a good life, living in New Jersey with his firefighter father and loving mother. He was his school's football team's quarterback, he had a pretty girlfriend, he was a good student, and he had a lot of friends. However, seventeen-year-old PJ had just moved to Athenia, a small town in up-State New York, after his father died. He was suddenly the new kid, with no friends, and the football team already had a pretty good, well-established (i.e., his father supported the team financially), arrogant quarterback. PJ had to start over. Thanks to an interesting neighbor, the tomboyish Andi, PJ starts to fit in, slowly.
Okay, the world has already turned upside-down on this kid, but it's about to happen again. One night, as PJ's about to go to sleep, Hermes (the Greek messenger god) appears in PJ's room, tells him that he's the descendent of semi-divine Greek hero Perseus, and he is now stuck with the job of re-creating a crucial moment in history that somehow has been erased: he has to kill the Gorgon named Medusa, who can turn you to stone with a single glance! Why PJ? Because he is the heir to the long-deceased Perseus. What if PJ refuses? Pegasus will not be born, and won't be able to bring thunder to Zeus, and without thunder, Zeus cannot bring rain to Olympus (or anywhere else). A worldwide drought will ensue, and everyone will eventually die.
PJ agrees, although he is not sure whether he believes any of this. By day, PJ gradually fits in with his new life and, lo and behold, by night, he embarks on an incredible adventure, aided by the Greek gods, opposed by the Greek Titans and their allies, and not at all helped by several acts of treachery.
Will PJ survive? Will he save the world? Will he ever get playing time on the football team? Will he figure out who to take to the Homecoming dance?
Commentary: Tony and Robyn DiTocco co-wrote and helped get this book published. It is part of their "Mad Myth Mystery" series for young adult readers, and is followed by a great sequel, "Atlas` Revenge". The book is very fast-paced and the action never stops. The authors deftly take us back and forth between the protagonist's "normal" daytime life and his magical-mythical nighttime adventure. The writing and the plot are complex enough for an adult to read, but fast enough and smooth enough for young adults (twelve and up, even ten for good readers) to handle and thoroughly enjoy. If you or a child you know enjoys reading about mythology, this is a great book, in the mode of "Jason and the Argonauts," and the authors seem to know their Greek mythology well. The authors have also tried to use the story to explore issues like loyalty, courage, and logical thinking, but not in a way that seems at all preachy or didactic.
Bottom line: This is a fun story, with lots of action and a rapid pace. The authors have themselves an interesting series concept, and they have executed it well in the first two books. I hope they can keep up the quality.
Outstanding October 30, 2004
Shirley Priscilla Johnson (USA)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is perhaps one of the most outstanding young adult books that I have reviewed in a very long time.
Concerned by the recent popularity of works teaching our children about witchcraft and wizardry; the authors set out to write a work that would show young people that they could overcome problems wihout the use of magic. That is exactly what they did in a way that will make young and old stand up and cheer.
PJ Allen has a lot to deal with in his young life. He has lost his father, has been moved to a new town and is thrust into a quest to save the world.
This work is packed full of adventure, suspense and even humor as PJ meets new friends, fights unbelievable enemies and travels on a journey to discover the life of his ancestor Perseus and the realization of what his destiny is.
Young and old alike will be drawn into this story and enjoy reading a work that combines Greek mythology with a modern day background.
This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review
Best book I've read April 25, 2004
Joslyn (Margate, FL United States)
This book, The Hero Perseus was the best book I have read. The librarian brought it to my class to see who wanted to read it and I took it and I read it in only 4 days. That is how great it was. If your kids are into witches and mythology like I am they'll love this book. The ending will surprise you but of course i can't spoil it for you. You're just going to have to read it yourself. Just remember best book I've ever read that I've gotten from school.
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