Category: | Our Mythical Childhood Survey

Will Kostakis

Monuments is the first in an urban fantasy young adult fiction duology inspired by adventure video games such as The Legend of Zelda. Connor Giannopoulos stumbles upon a secret room beneath his school, sealed shut by a puzzle. A girl named Sally is also there, trying to solve the puzzle. The secret cavern contains a "Monument" named Darroch: an ancient god that helped to shape the world. Sally claims she is Darroch's Guardian, entrusted to protect him from the Hounds; descend(...)

literary

YEAR: 2019

COUNTRY: Australia

TAGS: Gods Immortality Magic Statues Weapons

Will Kostakis

Monuments (Series, Book 2): Rebel Gods

Rebel Gods continues on from Monuments. Connor, Sally, and Locky have not noticed any signs that the newly-freed Rebel Gods are interfering with humanity, but they are still on guard. Over a dinner Connor doesn't need to eat, because he is now a god, he discovers his mother Eleni has started dating again after her divorce. Connor joins Sally and explores a mysterious tunnel, which leads to Locky's basement bedroom. The trio explore a buried vault hidden on another school campus. They cra(...)

literary

YEAR: 2020

COUNTRY: Australia

TAGS: Agape Gods Immortality Labyrinth Magic Statues Weapons

Christina Balit, Hugh Lupton, Daniel Morden

The Adventures of Odysseus

This book offers a compact retelling of the trials and tribulations of Odysseus’ journey home from Troy. The prologue begins with the judgement of Paris and how this led to a 10 year long war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The prologue explains that the Greeks won the war, retrieved Helen and began their journeys home with ships full of loot. The book proceeds to tell the story of Odysseus’ journey home beginning 9 years in as he washes up on the shores of Phaeacia. In the same (...)

literary

YEAR: 2006

COUNTRY: United Kingdom

TAGS: Athena/ Athene Charybdis Circe Combat trauma Cyclops / Cyclopes Divine intervention Greek mythology Hermes Heroism Leadership Magic Odysseus/ Ulysses Penelope Scylla Trojan War War

Baba Wagué Diakité

The Magic Gourd

The story begins with Brother Rabbit, who wanders around the parched country in search of food to feed his family who were starving because of a drought. While on his journey, he runs into a chameleon that is stuck in a thorny bush. The chameleon calls out for his help and promises to reward him well if he comes to its rescue. Rabbit rescues Chameleon and in return, Chameleon rewards his kindness with a magic gourd that fills up with anything that its owner desires and requests.Overwhelmed by th(...)

african

COUNTRY: United States of America

TAGS: Magic

Eric Freeberg, Tania Zamorsky

The Odyssey

This book begins with a brief prologue that touches on the judgement of Paris, Odysseus winning the war with the Trojan horse and the Greeks having to endure a tough journey home due to interference from the Gods. The narrative follows that of Homer's The Odyssey fairly closely, beginning with Odysseus longing for home on Calypso's island only for the Gods to decide to help Odysseus get home. Athena helps Odysseus reach Phaeacia where he tells king Alcinous of his troublesome journey hom(...)

literary

YEAR: 2011

COUNTRY: United States of America

TAGS: Athena/ Athene Charybdis Circe Cyclops / Cyclopes Divine intervention Greek mythology Hermes Heroism Leadership Magic Odysseus/ Ulysses Penelope Poseidon Scylla Trojan War War Zeus