Gods of Manhattan

"The Gods of Manhattan" is a creative and complex story that introduces the spirit world that overlays and influences the real city of Manhattan. The story matches up modern day kids with spirits of New York's past in an attempt to save the city from evil. This is an unbelieveable well written book that combines the history of New York with a great kids' adventure story. The plot lines can seem confusing at first but with a little patience, everything makes sense in the end. The concept of the interactions between the different layers of the city is really original and will definitely appeal to New Yorkers. This is a really great book and hopefully the first of a series.

Reviewed by Neha Kashmiri (age 13) for Reader Views (6/08) "Gods of Manhattan" is a fantasy novel by Scott Mebus. Thirteen-year-old Rory Hennessy's world has always just been his little family. When a magician's trick opens his eyes to Mannahatta, a city that co-exists with the Manhattan we know, nothing is the same for Rory. Mannahatta is a city full of warrior cockroaches, crocodile riding gangs, and papier-mâché children. The city, built by legend and history, is ruled by the immortal Gods of Mannahatta including Peter Stuyvesant, Alexander Hamilton and Babe Ruth. If something in Manhattan was important enough, loved enough or even remembered enough, it is reborn in Mannahatta as a spirit or as a god. Rory finds out that he is a "Light," a human who can see through all illusions and see Mannahatta and reveal it to others -- a gift that is more trouble than it's worth. With his sister Bridget in tow, Rory sets out reluctantly to save the Munsee's, an Indian tribe betrayed and imprisoned in the Trap. The Trap is a barrier erected around Central Park to keep the Munsee's in and Mannahatta's spirits and gods out. With the help of the Rattle Watch, a ragtag group made up of the children of the gods, Rory has to deal with a tag-along little sister, robbing a bank and more than one betrayal. Is the wrong Rory's trying to correct a wrong at all, or is it something else entirely? The book at more than 300-pages seems like a quick read because of it's never ending action. The main character, Rory, is intelligent and lovable in his reluctance to do what every one else wants him to do. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but all of them have a purpose and jobs to do in the story. The ending leaves an open for a sequel and my lap is ready for one to fall into it. "Gods of Manhattan" is recommended for anyone with a love of history, mystery, and fantasy.

When I read a book of this genre, I ask myself: Was it a captivating story? Did it come alive for me? Happily, the answers are Yes! and Yes! This is definite page turner with a fresh new approach turning Manhattan into an action packed spirit world filled with magic and history. Perfect for New York City lovers young and old!

The book "Gods of Manhattan" is the perfect book for children ages 9 YEARS and older. This is good for someone who is looking for an adventure in an every day ordinary city, yet it isn't your Godzilla story or a Superman adventure. It is a book happening in New York City, NY. Some of the places that the main character(Rory), and his sister(Bridget) go are Central Park, The Chrysler Building, City Hall, The Subways, and even the Sewers! Rory Has a special gift, and he can see the many magical creatures hidden among the city. This book reminds me a lot about a book called "The Lightning Thief", and if you have read that and you liked it, you will love this book.

Rory Hennessy is firmly rooted in reality. In some ways, far too much so for a thirteen-year-old boy, but that's sometimes what happens when it's just a boy, his mom, and his little sister. Regardless, Rory has always been able to see through and explain magic tricks. So in the interest of not spoiling his sister Bridget's ninth birthday party, Rory is avoiding the magician she insisted on having. The magician, however, is intent on Rory's participation. The result is a trick that Rory can't begin to explain or understand, and a cryptic message about Rory being in danger. Suddenly, everything is different. Rory is seeing things that couldn't possibly be real; gargoyles eating pigeons, a cockroach riding a rat like it was a pony, an Indian warrior that Rory's dreamt about... Maybe there's more to that magician than some silly card tricks. Or else Rory's losing his mind. With Bridget in tow, Rory goes to find the magician. According to the magician there is an entire shadow world that coexists with the Manhattan that Rory and Bridget know and love. It's called Mannahatta, and it's populated by Gods of every kind. Like the God of Justice, or the God of Sample Sales, or the God of Jaywalking. To borrow the magicians words: "When a mortal does something great, he is reborn in Mannahatta as a spirit. If his legend grows enough, he might be fortunate enough to ascend to godhood." But there is struggle in Mannahatta: the spirits of the Munsee Indians are trapped in Central Park. The Munsees are connected to the land, but since they are trapped in a man-made park they can't actually connect to the land anymore, upsetting the balance between the two worlds. As possibly the only true mortal who can see Mannahatta without assistance (Bridget can only see things after Rory points them out), Rory is the key to setting the Munsees free. Rory isn't sure he trusts or believes the magician, but there does seem to be a few creepy things trying to attack him. Whether or not Rory is ready or even interested in the adventure, Bridget is ready to kick some butt, starting yesterday. Now Rory has to worry about navigating a world no one else can see, saving it and the world he knows, and keeping Bridget safe. He's got his work cut out for him. Rory is a strong and interesting main character, and Bridget is the irritating little sister who makes things worse by trying to help. The author has managed to balance serious ideas (like global warming and the Indian/Colonist conflict) with lighthearted moments (like a rat and squirrel kung fu fighting). The story jumps back and forth between Manhattan and Mannahatta, until they merge with Rory's full understanding. Which is a little bit confusing until you figure out who everyone is. This is a great adventure story that not only keeps you involved, but doubles nicely as a history and geography of Manhattan. I imagine it's particularly poignant if you're a New Yorker, but never having been there I