Myth-O-Mania: Have a Hot Time, Hades! - Book #1 [Paperback]

Kate McMullan (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Myth-O-Mania

Think you know the real story behind the Greek myths? Think again. Most people only know what Zeus wants them to. But the truth is, Zeus is a total myth-o-maniac. Hades, King of the Underworld, is here to set the record straight on how he ended up as Ruler of the Underworld and Zeus became King of the Gods.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McMullan (I Stink!) presents a playful take on fractured Greek myths in this first installment of the Myth-O-Mania series. Narrator Hades accuses his younger brother, Zeus, of being a "myth-o-maniac (That's old-Greek-speak for `liar.')" and here "[sets] the record straight." He explains how he and Zeus, along with their siblings Hera, Poseidon, Hestia and Demeter, move into the Mount Olympus palace of their Titan father and "Ruler of the Universe," Cronus, whom they presumed dead. But when Cronus and his warriors storm the mount to regain control, the young gods challenge them to a series of games the prize: Mount Olympus. With the help of their uncles (including the Cyclopes) the crew defeats Cronus to win the Olympic games. Hades characterizes Zeus as dimwitted and cowardly (and even less athletic). Other fun twists abound: Hades describes how he plots to usurp a "Bucket o'Bolts" from the lava-spitting monster, Typhon, which comes into Zeus's possession hence the legendary thunderbolts that Zeus hurls from the heavens. How does Hades end up, well, you know? The siblings play a game of poker to determine the new CEO (Chairgod of Everybody on Olympus), Zeus cheats to claim the title, and Hades then proclaims himself Ruler of the Underworld. McMullan's pun-filled narrative brims with clever myths of her own and sheds wry light on classic lore; and there's more the second episode, Phone Home, Persephone! is due out simultaneously. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Beginning with sibling rivalry in the stomach of Cronus and concluding with Hades's one-way trip to the underworld, McMullan describes all sorts of adventures among the quirky pantheon. Full of puns and other wordplay, the narrative romps along as Hades tells a self-centered "true" story of how the gods and goddesses came to take their roles. As with any parody, full enjoyment requires a basic understanding of the traditional tales. This book, the first in a proposed series, could be a boon to teachers seeking to enliven the study of myths.
Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Volo (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786816643
• ISBN-13: 978-0786816644
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kate McMullan is the author of many books for young readers, including I Stink!, winner of a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor; I'm Mighty; and Meg's Prairie Diary, a historical fiction trilogy set in St. Louis and Kansas in 1856. She has been fascinated by the Lewis and Clark Expedition since the age of ten, when an uncle told her about an ancestor who had gone on the expedition. That ancestor was sixteen-year-old George Shannon. Ms. McMullan lives in New York City and Sag Harbor, New York, with her husband and collaborator, noted illustrator Jim McMullan, their daughter, two cats, and a dog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming recasting of Greek myth, June 1, 2005

By 

Debra Hamel (North Haven, CT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Myth-O-Mania: Have a Hot Time, Hades! - Book #1 (Paperback)

Not too long ago Hades--that's His Royal Lowness, Lord of the Dead, King Hades to you--picked up a book on Greek mythology and discovered that his younger brother Zeus had tampered with the Greek myths in order to make himself look good (braggart and liar that Zeus tends to be). In order to set the record straight Hades set to work at once writing his own account of what really happened way back when. Have a Hot Time, Hades! is the first book to result from his labors, the initial installment in his Myth-o-Mania series, which is published pseudonymously, curiously enough, under the name of Kate McMullan.

Hades, as it turns out, can write pretty well. Have a Hot Time, Hades! is a charming, irreverent recasting of Greek myth as told from Hades' perspective, from his childhood spent dodging the refuse in his father's stomach (Cronus swallowed all but one of his children in their infancy) to his decision to adopt the Underworld as his realm. In the book we learn of the difficulties the Olympians (i.e., Hades and his siblings) had wresting power from the previous generation of gods. There are battles--well, very violent kickstones matches--with the Titans, some trouble with the monster Typhon, a talking-to from their grandmother Gaia. Nor are the Olympians themselves without their own petty squabbles, mostly arising from Zeus' habit of stealing credit from his siblings and begetting offspring with mortals.

Kate McMullan obviously takes liberties with her presentation of the Greek myths in Have a Hot Time, Hades!, but she does a tremendous service in introducing young readers in a highly entertaining way to the major figures in Greek mythology, their familial relationships, and their various areas of interest. (A handy family tree and glossary are included in the book.) The series is off to a great start. Next up is Phone Home, Persephone!, in which Hades will regale us with the true story of his marriage to Persephone.

Reviewed by Debra Hamel, author of Trying Neaira: The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This series is great!, November 20, 2004

By 

E. E. Horner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Myth-O-Mania: Have a Hot Time, Hades! - Book #1 (Paperback)

I teach 7th grade, and my reading class studies Greek mythology for 9 weeks. I have all 8 books in this series in my room, and I am always reading one of them aloud to my class. The rest are NEVER available on my shelf; they're always checked out! There's usually a waiting list for them and sometimes the kids even hound each other to hurry and get them done so they can read them. These books are a hit with both girls and boys (a rarity), and even my reluctant readers will check these books out! I wish Kate McMullan would write more of them!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book!!, December 25, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Myth-O-Mania: Have a Hot Time, Hades! - Book #1 (Paperback)

I borrowed this book from my friend and I really loved it!! If you want to read a funny, interesting book, I will definately suggest this book!! I also read the all of the other books and I most definately cant wait for the next one!! My mom and sister loved this book as well so I could tell you that this book is suitable for all ages!! (Warning: If you read this book you wont be able to resist reading the next book and the next and....)