Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead

by Vicky Alvear Shecter, J. E. Larson (Illustrator)

Overview

Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620915981
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/01/2014
Series:	Secrets of the Ancient Gods Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the author of Anubis Speaks! A Guide to the Afterlife by the Egyptian God of the Dead, Cleopatra Rules! The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen, Cleopatra's Moon, and Alexander the Great Rocks the World. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. vickyalvearshecter.com

Jesse E. Larson's work embraces the phantasmagorical and reflects his love of Victorian nonsense, German expressionism, and monster movies. He lives in Rochester, Minnesota.

Editorial Reviews

"Hades guides modern readers through the Anciet Greek underworld of the dead. . . a fun introduction that will spark further interest in mythology." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

06/01/2014
Gr 3–6—Hades guides modern readers through the Ancient Greek underworld of the dead. Bitter, alienated, and unremittingly snarky because his younger brother Zeus has taken over the world and Hades himself gets no respect, the God of the Dead takes readers on a tour of his bloody, gory, and monstrous (literally) realm of darkness. His particular aversion to heroes such as Herakles or, for that matter, any of the many sons of Zeus offers an amusing perspective. Greek philosophers and funeral rites are also examined through the jaded eye of Hades. Back matter, including a pronunciation guide and "bio" of gods and goddesses, help support the well-researched material. The acerbic tone and sometimes disconcerting oxymorons (references to baseball, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson; Hades referred to as "Grumpy McGrouchstein") are an acquired taste. Adults may be put off by such statements as "homework—useless, boring, and stupid" or "then everyone would panic about global warming," but it is likely that younger readers will not notice. For many, this may be a fun introduction that will spark further interest in mythology.—Katherine Koenig, The Ellis School, PA

School Library Journal

2014-06-04
A tour of the ancient Greek (and Roman) underworld, squired by Hades and his lovely wife, Persephone.Enthusiastically embracing his assigned role, Hades invites young visitors to pick an entrance to his shadowy realm (“There’s one right outside your bedroom.” Bwa ha ha) and to mind the monsters. The tour proceeds past Acheron and other rivers to the “fire pits of Tartaros” and the Fields of Asphodel and Elysium. Besides complaining continually that he gets no respect and fulminating about “brute-brat-boy” Herakles, the chatty chaperon delivers background on the origins of his mythological clan. He also introduces his fiendish staff and discourses on a range of need-to-know topics from Roman curse tablets to the mysterious significance of beans in ancient writings. Midway through, Persephone commandeers the narrative to tell some favorite myths—notably the one about how Theseus left part of his butt attached to the Hadean Chair of Forgetfulness. Hades ultimately leaves readers to find their own ways back to the land of the living with a generous bibliography as well as a glossary and a guide to the gods as mementos of their junket. Larson’s mannered, Aubrey Beardsley–style pen-and-ink scenes of angular figures shrouded in long cloaks or gowns add more chills than chuckles, but the map is helpful.“I’ll see you on the other side,” Hades leers—“sooner or later.” At least the terra won’t be completely incognita. (index) (Mythology. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews