Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery [Hardcover]

Tony DiTocco (Author), Robyn DiTocco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2005

Four years later, LA college senior PJ Allen enjoys a lifestyle of school, surf and snow. His bliss is interrupted, however, by Hermes, who informs PJ that he must return to the mythological world, complete Hercules' Twelve Labors and unravel a cryptic riddle to save mankind. During his perilous quest, PJ encounters sorcery, trickery and a face from the past.2004 ForeWord Magazine's Bronze Book of the Year, Young Adult Fiction

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–A silly, sometimes far-fetched, but very readable second book in a fantastical mystery/adventure series about a 20-year-old guy who's leading a double life. By day, PJ is a diligent California college student and part-time graphic artist for a movie studio. At night, as a descendant of Greek gods Perseus and Hercules, he unwillingly battles villainous mythological gods and beasts with Zeus's guidance. Four years after he battled and defeated Medusa, he's again summoned by Zeus to complete Hercules's Twelve Labors. Hercules has been tricked by Atlas into holding up the heavens but is getting weaker and losing control, and PJ must complete the Labors and find Atlas, who's disappeared, before the world collapses. Many familiar Greek mythological characters and deeds are cleverly incorporated into the plot. In between his James Bond-like heroics, complete with magical armaments supplied by Athena, PJ is an ordinary guy who actually studies and attends class regularly while still having time for dating, surfing, and snowboarding. Despite the amateurish-looking cover, this fast-moving, often corny, and sometimes contrived story is oddly compelling with its literary references (PJ is reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged for class), legendary characters, and heroic quests reminiscent of role-playing video games.–Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ
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Review

...A great action filled twist on an old story that will be enjoyed by all ages...always completely entertaining. -- Blether.com

...Again the authors have done an excellent job...A superb read and highly recommend for teachers. -- The Savvy Click Kid & YA Book Reviews

...Atlas' Revenge is by far the best book I have ever read... -- Teen Ink

...I recommend this book. It can stand alone, but start your own collection...These books are real winners! -- The Midwest Book Review

...This reviewer loves the way these two authors weave the real and the unreal...Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!...More please! -- Crystal Reviews

...a perfect summer read...the puzzles keep the mind active, and the mythology relates stories long forgotten... -- Bookloons

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Brainstorm Publications, Inc. (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972342923
• ISBN-13: 978-0972342926
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,417,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Atlas' Revenge Another Mad Mystery, February 2, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE GREAT READ!, February 10, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery (Paperback)

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

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend, hope to see more of PJ soon., January 4, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Atlas' Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery (Hardcover)

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 by Athena, PJ is a pretty common fellow who attends class regularly and actually studies and still has time for surfing, snow-boarding and dating. This action packed, at times zany tale holds reader interest with its fabled characters, enlightened references, and dazzling quests often enjoyed by today's young people as they delve into role-playing video games.

Writers Di Tocco have crafted a fast paced spell binder sure to intrigue the strong middle grade reader, high schooler who is 'into' fanciful works and adults who just plain like a good tale wound around Olympus. PJ Allen is a strong character built around a real kid. Parents will enjoy reading of him and his adventures. Appearing first in 'The Hero Perseus,' PJ has matured and continues to succeed in spite of himself.

Atlas' Revenge Another Mad Myth Mystery is a polished work, filled with absorbing characters, stimulating settings, a compelling storyline and nicely detailed settings. Transitions between the mythical and present are handled well, PJ's confusion and distress are felt by the reader. The writers Di Tocco displays an perspicacious adroitness for taking mundane situations as well as the not so mundane and weaving them into a real attention grabber. From the opening lines the reader is drawn into the tale, moved at breakneck speed into, through and beyond amazing situations, states of affairs and affairs.

The Di Toccos have done their homework, the ancient gods are well presented. High school students who are bored to death with 'ancient reading' will find themselves pulled into the tale, interest held fast and learning something of a fascinating period of time and myth.

I was sent a hard bound, library copy for review. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend, hope to see more of PJ soon.

Molly Martin
Reviewer