Gods of Manhattan [Mass Market Paperback]

Scott Mebus (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Gods of Manhattan

Thirteen-year-old New Yorker Rory Hennessy can see things no one else can. When a magician?s trick opens his eyes to Mannahatta, Rory finds an amazing spirit city coexisting alongside modern-day Manhattan. A place where Indian sachems, warrior cockroaches, and papier-mâché children live, ruled by the immortal Gods of Manhattan?including Babe Ruth, Alexander Hamilton, and Peter Stuyvesant. But Rory?s power to see Mannahatta brings danger, and he is pursued by enemies, chasing history and trying to free those who have been enslaved. And when he is given the chance to right Mannahatta?s greatest wrong, seeing Mannahatta may not be a gift after all. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a suspenseful climax...provides a satisfying sense of resolution at the end while leaving plenty of issues for future episodes. -- Kirkus

The use of real historical figures and events lends authenticity to this compulsively readable and fast-paced fantasy. -- School Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Scott Mebus is the author of books for adults (Booty Nomad and The Big Happy) and has worked as a producer and director in television (for MTV and VH1). He also writes and performs for theater and does stand-up comedy. Scott lives in New York City. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (March 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142413070
• ISBN-13: 978-0142413074
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 17, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gods of Manhattan (Hardcover)

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 can tell you it didn't lose anything.

I think we may not have seen the end of Rory Hennessy, or Bridget, and I'm looking forward to finding out what else Mannahatta has in store for everyone.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 10-year-old's opinion, April 25, 2008

By 

Noah "A 10-year-old's review" (Jersey City, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gods of Manhattan (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great title, Imaginative, July 23, 2010

By 

Teen Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gods of Manhattan (Hardcover)

I usually read books for older teens, but this one aimed at preteens and younger teens was an enjoyable fast-paced book filled with enough action, imaginative characters, impossible quests, and harrowing ending. Manhattan is not just a city, but an entity. Rory, a young teenage boy and his sister Bridget are extraordinary humans. He is a "Light" who can see past illusions and see the Mannahatta's spirits. I recommend this book to all ages.