Thank you to NetGalley and Jen Calonita for the chance to preview this title. I’m a huge fan of twisted fairy tales! This prologue of Hercules’ early years is perfect for middle-grade readers. The chapter subtitles allow students to connect what they know to predict the story. Some characters are familiar to those who have either seen the movie or have knowledge about Greek mythology. We get to follow Hercules and his new friend Theseus on their first quest to save their city. Many obstacles test their physical and mental abilities. Read along to discover how they go the distance.

Why does no one at Disney ever acknowledge the sequels or animated series content? I mean, as a fan, that always bothers me , but I felt that this book at least came close because I remember a version of Theseus in the animated series and his description is very close to the character in this book. Overall, it’s a great story, very in character, very fun, some new faces like Nike who I don’t remember ever getting a spot in the show. The descriptions of Pain and Panic are mixed up in the first Hades interlude. But otherwise it’s great that Hades, the Fates and Pain and Panic made appearances. The author is obviously a true fan and I am endeared to the author and would love to hang out with her and trade Disney theories and stories. Truly Jen Calonita is awesome and one of my favorite authors next to Liz Braswell and Serene Valentino. That being said, Hercules is his usual charming clumsy self here back before he had friends like Phil or Cassandra or Icarus. But thanks to what should be a bestseller, she’s already getting Phil’s streetwise hero advice and following it to the letter when he gets drawn into a quest on behalf of a less than amused Athena who has just had one of her sacred olive orchards vandalized. Hercules and his new acquaintance, Theseus, a possible other Demi god ( Not that either of them are aware of this, or at least not sure) are off on a wild adventures against monsters and centaurs and all sorts of disasters on the way to Athens, which they must reach in five days in order to save their home and families. The two teens are polar opposites who clash like titans…you see the pun I made there?… in personalities and styles of heroism. While Theseus is bold, loud, brash, and never thinks anything through, often eager to grab the glory, Hercules would settle for everyone seeing him as more than a a washed up zero nuisance that causes issues wherever he goes and never fits in. He hopes not only to change the perspective of those around him of him but to gain the friendship of popular Theseus in the quest, but along the way he learns a lot about himself too, and sets the ground work for the amazing hero he will become. A fun, funny, clever read with lots of mythological magic and references. Great from start to finish. Plus, HADES! Nothing can be bad when there is Hades. We need more Hades in our lives.

A fun retelling of Disney’s Hercules story. A creative twist on what Hercules was like before becoming the hero we all know and loved. It moved a bit slowly for me, but overall was enjoyable and a book any Disney fan would enjoy in their collection.