Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mix of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter is fun but confusing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In AFTERMYTH, Penelope Weaver is ready to make a stellar first impression on her first day at Anaximander's Academy, a secret school in the Berkshire Mountains that honors the Greek gods. She's determined to be selected for Athena Hall because her whole family has always been in orderly, scholarly, high-achieving Athena Hall. But her quest for greatness goes wrong immediately when she loses her twin brother on the bridge to school and nearly loses her mind when wooden beams transform into attacking snakes. Her troubles only multiply at orientation when each first year is tasked with finding a special coin that signifies which house they will join. For other students the scavenger hunt is a breeze. But for Penelope? Her coin nearly drowns her in an upside-down waterfall. It's almost like, after the day she's had, Penelope should have seen the disappointment coming. Instead of finally granting her admittance to Athena Hall, the rogue coin places poor, drenched, snake-bitten Penelope in flighty, sparkly, chaotic Aphrodite Hall instead.
Is It Any Good?
Like Aphrodite Hall, this mythologically minded school-set fantasy is pretty on the outside and pretty fun, but not grounded enough to make a lasting impression. It's a good thing this is set in a school that mimics both the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson franchises, because there are some gaping holes in the storytelling and world building that these other well-known series help to fill. Mysteries are fine, but by the end of Aftermyth we still don't know why Penelope keeps seeing snakes, and oddly she doesn't ever ask anyone in authority that question either. And why is she the only one who almost drowns getting her magic coin? And why is there an upside-down waterfall? Just for kicks? And why did it look like Penelope was nearly placed in two houses? It's a good thing Aphrodite Hall hosts such stellar parties to take readers' minds off all the things that don't make sense or never resolve. Penelope's loyal and sweet friendships, her enthusiastic trips to the candy room, and her growing acceptance of Aphrodite Hall and its principles are the best parts of the story. Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will enjoy these mythically magical boarding school moments best of all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Penelope's disappointment in Aftermyth. Why did she want to be an Athena girl? Should she have been selected for that house? How does this teach her humility and resilience?
Was there ever a team you wanted to make or a club you wanted to join that excluded you? How did you handle it? What did you learn from the disappointment? Were you able to eventually embrace a new path like Penelope?
How does Aphrodite Hall show Penelope friendship and demonstrate teamwork? Which house would you like to join?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , School ( High School , Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Humility , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : February 3, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 5, 2026
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