Customer Reviews

Quicksilver

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Stephanie Spinner returns to the exciting world of Greek Mythology with QUICKSILVER, the story of winged messenger Hermes. Her previous novel, QUIVER, brought to life the story of the swift Atalanta.

Hermes had many roles, including bringing the dead to Hades and acting as swift winged messenger to and from the gods. He is shown almost as a young adult, trying to please his father Zeus while learning his responsibilities and principles. His mischievous side adds to the wonderful stories.

Several of Hermes's stories are described here, including how he helped King of the Underworld Hades and goddess Demeter compromise over the beautiful Kore; and a tale of the changing seasons.

Readers will especially enjoy the adventure of Perseus cutting off the head of snake-haired Medusa, which showcases the clever wit and multiple talents of Hermes.

The apple contest decided by Paris that leads to the Trojan War brings out a new side in the Messenger. He is horrified by the senseless death and the way his family of gods takes sides.

His last adventure listed here, saving Odysseus from the bewitching Calypso, brings a happy end for Hermes.

It's fun to see the classic adventures novelized. BULLFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY can offer background and more information for those who are interested, and readers also may want to see the 1981 movie Clash of the Titans for another look at Perseus's tale. But you don't have to be an expert in Greek mythology to enjoy QUICKSILVER.

   --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

This a hilarous book about greek myths told from the eyes of hermes! It is of couse as a said above, hilarous! I read QUIVER also by Stephanie Spinner, i found this book much funnier, and entertaing. My problem with QUIVER was that you felt like there was something importent missing and Spinner didn't make Atalanta her own, but in this book she makes hermes real almost like he is telling you the story. I liked all the storys but i did feel like she rushed through them, as if to keep the book short. I do recommened this to someone who loves greek mythology!

This book was creative, but often verged on dull. I'd recommend it if you feel like zoning out and reading something purely mindless, but not otherwise. Don't have high expectations for this one.

The plot of Quicksilver glosses over four stories involving the god Hermes. His trip to retrieve the goddess Kore from Hades, his help to Perseus in killing the monster Medusa, his role in the development of the Trojan War, and his love of Calypso after saving Odysseus from her island.

My main, and really my only complaint, about this book is that it took four generally unlinked stories and tried to cram them together without much transition between them. Because it was confined into one book, most details and depth in the story had to be eliminated so everything would fit. It would have worked better if the author had split the four myths between two books to allow a plot with better flow and the expansion of these myths.

Readers should enjoy the portrayal of the gods, epically the likeable protagonist Hermes, whether they are well versed in Greek Mythology or wanting to learn about it. It was fun to read these classical myths with a more personal tone to the gods, and interesting to see how they intereacted with each other and mortals.

I recommend it!