Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery

Intriguing Read.......... Happy to Recommend ............. 5 Stars Following the success of their highly regarded 'The Hero Perseus', the first in the Mad Myth Mystery series writers Robyn and Tony DiTocco have tackled another Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction work based on Ancient gods and their doings. We first met PJ as a sixteen year old when he was summoned by Zeus to help in the defeat of the Medusa. This time twenty year old PJ Allen is a college student and part time graphic artist for a movie studio. Beginning another adventure as a descendant of the Greek gods Perseus and Hercules the tale begins with a bang. We find him with snowboard locked to his boot, surging toward a sharp 90 degree twist that becomes a straight vertical drop. This particular stretch is the only thing that is preventing PJ from conquering the mountain known as Atlas' Revenge.' In an effort to forestall yet another inevitable crash PJ grasps for anything and finds only a broken branch, slow mo tumbling and an ominous rumbling coming straight for him. With a gasp PJ awoke. For three nights now he has had the same disturbing dream. Maybe his recent assignment is getting to him; PJ has been reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged for class. PJ has lived in Southern California for three years now, and there is nothing resembling the curve or drop like the one in his dream. He has spent hours in the Malibu waves and has snow boarded the frozen surf of Olympia mountain many afternoons. Following an auto crash on the Santa Monica Freeway PJ and old friend Andi Martin are again thrown together. Andi is now president of her clothing design company. PJ is attending college when he is not surfing waves or snow. Without warning PJ is confronted with an all too familiar visit from Hermes the Messenger God. The 6.2 earthquake shaking Andi and PJ down the hillside following their auto crash has had many repercussions; villages in the Philippines are under water, in France skiers by the hundreds are isolated by snow and ice, tsunami, avalanche, earthquake are all the result of Atlas' tricking Hercules into taking the burden of holding up the heavens. Zeus has sent for PJ's immediate return, Hercules can continue to hold the heavens for about three weeks and then the sky will fall. Hercules has been tricked by Atlas into holding up the heavens however he is becoming weaker and is losing control. PJ must complete the Twelve Labors initially assigned to Atlas, then he must locate Atlas, who has vanished and get him back on duty all before Hercules folds and the world collapses. Travel into the vortex to meet with Zeus, homing arrows, an awakened lion, twelve labors to complete before Hercules is spent. PJ is not an always willing warrior as with Zeus's counsel he duels nefarious mythic gods and creatures. Many of the old familiar Greek mythical characters and exploits are adroitly integrated into the action. When he is not performing heroic feats, decked out in magical armaments supplied

Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery is the second book of the Mad Myth Mystery series. The first book of this series was a finalist in the IPPY (Independence Publisher Book Awards). In this first book, the reader was introduced to seventeen year old Percy John Allen (PJ), who had recently moved to Athenia with his mother after the death of his father Zack. Soon after the move, a man calling himself Hermes (messenger of the Gods) began appearing to PJ. This strange man revealed to PJ that the boy was actually the descendent of Perseus and that PJ must travel back in time to re-enact the heroic feats of his ancestor in order to save the world. The second book of this series, Atlas' Revenge, finds PJ four years later and settling into college life, a new job, and a beautiful new girlfriend. All seems well for PJ until a chance meeting with PJ's old flame Andi and an earthquake. At first, PJ assumes these events are complete coincidence, until Hermes appears once again. It would seem that another of PJ's ancestors is in trouble. Evidentially, Hercules has managed to get himself into a little mess. While completing his Twelve Labors, Hercules was tricked by Atlas into holding the world on his shoulders. PJ must not only find Atlas and trick him into taking the world back onto his shoulders and complete Hercules' final labors but also write a paper for school, get drawings done for his slave driving boss, and be sure he's not late that date with his girlfriend. Completing the Twelve Labors of Hercules while balancing all of his other responsibilities is going to make slaying Medusa look like a picnic. Atlas' Revenge, is a great action filled twist on an old story that will be enjoyed by all ages, those who know these myths by heart, and those that have no previous knowledge of the Greek myths. PJ is just an average guy stuck in an extraordinary situation. He makes mistakes, he flounders, and he tries his best. The results are often humorous and always completely entertaining.

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 cliché, 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.

Atlas' Revenge, Another Mad Mystery by Robyn and Tony DiTocco is a great book! Normally, I find books about Gods, Destinys, and Mythology boring and un-eventful. That is certainly not the case with this book which is the sequel to The Hero Perseus, another great book. This second story is about an average boy, PJ, in his early twenties with a normal life of school, work and his girlfriend. But, as you probably guessed, there is a catch; PJ is the only descendant of the great god Perseus! The Gods atop Mount Olympus have a problem. Atlas, who holds the heavens atop his shoulders is gone...Hercules holds them for now and cannot for much longer. He is slipping, and with each slip a devastating natural disaster strikes the world. When he falls, the heavens will crush the earth. The Gods desperately need to find Atlas and save the world! There is another problem though, magic has been cast, and PJ needs to complete Hercules' 12 labors while he holds the heavens. Throughout the book PJ faces death straight in the eye. With each task completed, more pieces of the puzzle are added as to where Atlas is and how PJ must save the world. This book is for a fantasy, mystery, and adventure seeker who is a medium level reader. I, as the reader absolutely loved this book! It's a "Don't want to get up and stop reading" story, beautifully written with a great plot line. There is never a quiet moment and each time you think you have figured something out a new piece of information is added, making the story more and more complex. Besides reading the book I ask you this, do you dare to learn the dazzling mysteries of PJ and how he saves the world? I'll let you decide that for yourself.

I was first introduced to our hero in this couples first work, "Hero Perseus." PJ was four years younger and dealing with the trauma of losing his father at that time. In this work, we are reintroduced to a now college age PJ, who although is older is still dealing with his identity and what his future holds. Although the hectic California lifestyle seems to be agreeing with him; PJ is still plagues with some inner turmoil's. Things have changed for PJ. His mother has remarried and he has a new stepbrother, that he is definitely jealous of, and a new girlfriend, who he seems to be obsessed with. His life is full and the last thing he needs is another quest, but lo and behold here it comes. This time PJ is called by his old friend Hermes to complete Hercules Twelve Labors. Why? Because Hercules is busy holding up the heavens for Atlas who has disappeared. Ah! So we have our story. Chock full of adventure, PJ is hurled into a war to save the world. Forced to battle such mystical creatures as a lion, and a pig who becomes almost a friend and a host of other not so friendly characters, we are plunged into an adventurous read that is a real page turner. We also have a tad of mystery as Andi, PJ's former girlfriend, reappears on the scene. Just what part will she play in all of this? To add spice, we have a riddle that surely must mean something, but what? This is another delightful, action packed story for young and old. It's always nice to be familiar with the characters you have learned to love, and hate, from previous works as you begin the read. I recommend this book. It can stand alone, but start your own collection of Mad Myth Mysteries. I'm sure there will be more to follow, at least I hope so. These books are real winners! Shirley Johnson Senior Reviewer MidWest Book Review